What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Water 38%
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPantolactone
HumectantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 38%, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Pantolactone, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Panthenol, Cetearyl Olivate, Carbomer, Arginine, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Polyglutamic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMalachite Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglycerin-3, Propanediol, Malachite Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Maltodextrin, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Trehalose, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
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
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 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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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