What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-150
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativeIllite Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingSorbitol
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingPEG-6
HumectantPEG-32
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingPEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-39
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Trehalose
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTheanine
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPEG/PPG-36/41 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentDiamond Powder
AbrasiveSerine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicWater, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Sorbitol, Myristic Acid, PEG-6, PEG-32, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Lauryl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Beeswax, Polyquaternium-39, Tocopherol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Parfum, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Trehalose, Butylene Glycol, PEG-90m, Sodium Benzoate, Theanine, Sodium Metabisulfite, PEG/PPG-36/41 Dimethyl Ether, CI 77492, Sodium Polyacrylate, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Diamond Powder, Serine, Glycine, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, CI 77491, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf 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.
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 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