What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Volcanic Ash Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSea Water
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventWater, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Squalane, Volcanic Ash Extract, Trehalose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sea Water, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Ethyl Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Triethanolamine
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Galactoarabinan
Bis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningPiper Methysticum Root
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit
Astringent
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlteromonas Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment
Skin ConditioningBacillus
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningWater, Mandelic Acid, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Triethanolamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Galactoarabinan, Bis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Piper Methysticum Root, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower, Rosa Canina Fruit, Viola Tricolor Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Bacillus, Glycerin, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic 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 Water
