What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingC30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Trehalose, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-14 Pareth-12, Carbomer, Tromethamine, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tranexamic Acid, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningRhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialUncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycolic Acid, Beeswax, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Potassium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Parfum, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Rhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Glycine Soja Oil, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 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