What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PCA Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHoney
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Crataegus Pinnatifida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pueraria Thunbergiana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Prunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
Cleansing
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PCA Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Honey, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Limonene, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Crataegus Pinnatifida Fruit Extract, Linalool, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pueraria Thunbergiana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Citronellol, Citral, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Geraniol, Myristic Acid, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract, Lauric Acid, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Wine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Oligopeptide-177
Phenylalanine
Masking
Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Squalane, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, C12-16 Alcohols, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Palmitic Acid, Citric Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maltodextrin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Wine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol
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
Cetearyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
