What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEruca Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Inositol, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tapioca Starch
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Lavandula Spica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-21
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Panthenol, Squalane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ubiquinone, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Tapioca Starch, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Spica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Mentha Piperita Oil, Tocopherol, Carnosine, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Beta-Glucan, Caffeine, Mannitol, Bisabolol, Trehalose, Lactobacillus Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Steareth-21, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
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
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
