What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingErythritol
HumectantMethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventCoconut Acid
CleansingMethyl Perfluorobutyl Ether
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantSapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventPotassium Benzoate
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlucose
HumectantGlyceryl Caprate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPolycaprolactone
StabilisingBromelain
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Propolis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Erythritol, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Coconut Acid, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coco-Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract, Sodium Isethionate, Propanediol, Potassium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Succinoglycan, Papain, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucose, Glyceryl Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Polycaprolactone, Bromelain, Sea Water, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Propolis Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharide Isomerate
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSea Water
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSea Salt
AbrasiveHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingPropanediol
SolventCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCodium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Cloustoni Extract
Skin ProtectingUlva Lactuca Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sea Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sea Salt, Hyaluronic Acid, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Chloride, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Propanediol, Cellulose Gum, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Codium Fragile Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Laminaria Cloustoni Extract, Ulva Lactuca Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract comes from a green microalga. It is hydrating and contains antioxidants.
Studies also show Chlorella Vulgaris may help in rebuilding collagen and elastin. This ingredient is made up of lipids, carbohydrates, and chlorophyll.
Fun fact: This ingredient is commonly used as food additive in Japan.
Learn more about Chlorella Vulgaris ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidThis form of hyaluronic acid is produced through fermentation.
According to a manufacturer, it has a positive charge by ionic binding to help moisturize and give hair a smooth feel. This is why you'll find this ingredient in shampoos and body washes.
Potassium hyaluronate (PH) is a salt form of hyaluronic acid and has similar skin hydrating benefits.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, PH is able to draw and hold moisture to your skin. This helps keep skin soft and hydrated.
Fun fact: PH is used in eye drops and injectable treatments for joint disorders. It has lubricating and tissue-repair properties.
Learn more about Potassium HyaluronatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water