What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveNiacinamide
SmoothingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Silica, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Lactococcus Ferment, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Allantoin, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water