What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium PCA
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Panthenol, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sodium PCA, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Aspartic Acid, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, PCA, Sodium Citrate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine, Alanine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPanthenol 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 PanthenolPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWe don't have a description for PPG-26-Buteth-26 yet.
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 Water
