What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Malachite Extract
Antioxidant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Methyl Gluceth-20, Trehalose, Betaine, Carbomer, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Malachite Extract, Cellulose Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Diglycerin, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Xanthan Gum, Trehalose, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adenosine, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii 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
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanBetaine 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 BetaineButylene 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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer is made up of glycerin and polyacrylic acid. It helps hydrate your skin as a humectant.
This ingredient forms a hydrogel that delivers moisturizing, water-based ingredients to the skin. It is also used to thicken a product and to give it a smooth texture.
Acrylic acid itself is toxic, but the polymer form (this ingredient) is too large to penetrate skin, making it non-toxic.
Learn more about Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid CopolymerMethyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.
It is created by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose.
Polyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseTromethamine (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
