What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Sorokiniana Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Carbonate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyvinyl Alcohol
D-Arginyl Tyrosinyl Ornithinyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Nonapeptide-1, Chlorella Sorokiniana Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Copper Gluconate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Ubiquinone, Pentapeptide-4, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethicone, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, D-Arginyl Tyrosinyl Ornithinyl Phenylalanine, Disodium Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMannose
HumectantMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Manganese Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Betaine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Mannose, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Madecassoside, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Citric Acid, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Zinc Gluconate, Manganese Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Lactobacillus, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Bisabolol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterZinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.
This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.
