What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dibutyl Adipate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Vinyldimethicone, Polysilicone-15, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ozokerite, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Vinyldimethicone
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingDimethiconol
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Vinyldimethicone, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Mandelic Acid, 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic 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 AcidHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed 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 HyaluronateVinyldimethicone is a type of silicone.
Water. 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
