What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantBelamcanda Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Gold, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Mica, Tin Oxide, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract
Skin Conditioning
Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Amylopectin, Ceramide Ng, Sodium Levulinate, Caprylyl Methicone, Methyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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 is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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
