What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tromethamine
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Phytate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Chloride
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Panthenol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Polyquaternium-51, Glyceryl Glucoside, Saccharide Isomerate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tromethamine, Dextrin, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Chloride, Beta-Glucan, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Cyanocobalamin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Hexyldecyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Panthenol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hexyldecyl Ethylhexanoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycosphingolipids, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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 HyaluronateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
