What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Parfum, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Soluble Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Mannitol, Bromelain, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Papain, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, CI 15985, CI 17200
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCarbomer 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 CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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
