What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Polyglutamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Diphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Glucoside
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPalmitoyl Glycine
CleansingEctoin
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-100 Stearate, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Glucoside, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palmitoyl Glycine, Ectoin, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Glucose, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Ceramide NP, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine, Alanine, Threonine, Proline, Arginine
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.
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 preservatives
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is an amino acid sugar and is naturally found in our skin.
The cool thing about this ingredient? It helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration. It also has antioxidant benefits to protect skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHydrolyzed 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 ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateThis 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.
Polyglutamic Acid is made up many glutamic acids chained together. It is created from bacterial fermentation.
This ingredient is an effective skin hydrator and may help speed up wound healing. As a humectant, it draws and holds water to the skin. This ingredient is often compared to hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Similarly to hyaluronic acid, it can vary in molecular weights. This means polyglutamic acid is capable of bringing hydration to lower levels of the skin.
Fun fact: Polyglutamic Acid is found in the Japanese food, natto. It is also being used in cancer treatment studies.
Learn more about Polyglutamic AcidSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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