What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract
AstringentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Menthol
Masking
Farnesol
Perfuming
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Polysorbate 20, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Menthol, Farnesol, Caramel, Parfum, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Pimpinella Anisum Seed Extract
AstringentEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Impatiens Balsamina Flower Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Mentha Piperita Extract
CleansingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Ubiquinone, Triethyl Citrate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Seed Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Impatiens Balsamina Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This extract comes from cucumber. Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and hydrating properties.
They contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
The amino acids found in cucumbers help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle (it's an important part of our skin barrier). This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, this is generally a non-irritating ingredient.
Fun fact: Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.
Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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
