What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSea Water
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingJojoba Esters
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sea Water, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Phytate
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPolyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantFructose
HumectantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Panthenol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitol, Glucose, Fructose, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem 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.
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
Butylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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