What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Dipropylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Chlorphenesin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Potassium Sorbate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Castanea Sativa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Leaf, CI 15985, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Bakuchiol
AntimicrobialSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Palm Acid
Arginine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Vinyldimethicone, Bakuchiol, Sodium Dna, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ceramide EOP, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Palm Acid, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Caramel, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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