What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Glycereth-26, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Methicone, Polysorbate 80, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Menthyl Lactate, Xylitylglucoside, Butylene Glycol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Saccharide Isomerate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 17200, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
C9-12 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Rosa Rugosa Flower Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 45380
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Methyl Trimethicone, Synthetic Wax, C9-12 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Rosa Rugosa Flower Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Niacinamide, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Ectoin, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, CI 45380
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
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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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
