What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Papain
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Octoxynol-10
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Silybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Menthol
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Bromelain
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetrimonium Chloride, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Astaxanthin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Menthol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Bromelain, Papain, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPapain is an enzyme found naturally in the papaya plant's leaves, fruit, and roots. It has antimicrobial, soothing, and wound healing properties.
Glycine and Vitamin A are naturally found in papain.
While papain is often touted as skin-lightening, further studies are needed to prove this. However, papain has been shown to help soothe acne-inflammation.
Papain belongs to a class of enzymes called proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes break down peptides and amino acids.
Some studies found papain to be a potential skin sensitizer and allergen. Those with latex allergies might also be allergic to papaya.
Learn more about PapainPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol 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 Water
