This hydrating serum is formulated around Squalane and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Panthenol to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyester-5
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water, Propanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyester-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Sodium Lactate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Chelating1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide
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.
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 preservatives
Disodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
