What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Tocopherol, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Phospholipids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Citrate, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus, Ceramide NP, Pentylene Glycol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Natto Gum
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
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHyaluronic 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 AcidPropanediol 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 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 WaterZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract comes from the Japanese Pepper, also known as the Prickly Ash. This plant is native to the Korean peninsula and Japan.
The pepper has antioxidant properties. It may help reduce the signs of aging.
For those with fragrance sensitivities, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract contains limonene.
If you have concerns, we recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient.
The Japanese Pepper is related to the Sichuan Pepper.
Learn more about Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
