What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amber Powder
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Bellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Chloride
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Xylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Trehalose, Xanthan Gum, C12-13 Alketh-9, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Benzyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Raspberry Ketone, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Salix Alba Bark Water
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Arginine
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Mentha Haplocalix Extract
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Water, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Arginine, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Mentha Haplocalix 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.
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
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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
