What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 74%
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Dioleate
Emulsifying
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Methylpropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 74%, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Water, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-6 Dioleate, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Adenosine, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Phytate, Methylpropanediol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Squalane
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-3, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Cellulose Gum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Linalool, Limonene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidSodium 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 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
