What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlutathione
Rosa Rugosa Callus Culture Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantMorus Alba Extract
AstringentSqualane
EmollientArginine
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Glutathione, Rosa Rugosa Callus Culture Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Morus Alba Extract, Squalane, Arginine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adenosine, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
1,2-Butanediol
HumectantAzelaic Acid 5%
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientTricaprin
MaskingGlyceryl Starch
AbsorbentLecithin
EmollientEucalyptus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingPei-10
Polyglyceryl-5 Stearate
EmulsifyingSilicon
AbrasiveSterculia Africana Seed Oil
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingDihexyldecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantLotus Corniculatus Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ProtectingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingBenzotriazole
AntimicrobialNiacinamide Hydroxycitrate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Ethylenediamine Triacetate
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningGlycol
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantLinoleic Acid
CleansingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantThiamine Hcl
MaskingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialPhloretin
Antioxidant1,2-Butanediol, Azelaic Acid 5%, Salicylic Acid, Water, Panthenol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tricaprin, Glyceryl Starch, Lecithin, Eucalyptus Alba Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Pei-10, Polyglyceryl-5 Stearate, Silicon, Sterculia Africana Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Dihexyldecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lotus Corniculatus Leaf Cell Extract, Potassium Phosphate, Benzotriazole, Niacinamide Hydroxycitrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Ethylenediamine Triacetate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-9, Glycol, Nonapeptide-1, Cyanocobalamin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Linoleic Acid, Riboflavin, Beta-Carotene, Inositol, Thiamine Hcl, Ferulic Acid, Phloretin
Alternatives
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
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.
The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water