What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantBis-PEG-12 Dimethicone
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyectoin
Buffering
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Laureth-23, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Arginine, Ferulic Acid, Ectoin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyectoin, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Capillaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Mel Extract
MoisturisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Hydrosulfite
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButeth-3
SolventDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Arginine
Masking
Hydrolyzed Algin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tributyl Citrate
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Pentylene Glycol, Artemisia Capillaris Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mel Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Caffeine, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Chlorphenesin, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydrosulfite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Buteth-3, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ferulic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tetrasodium EDTA, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tributyl Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinFerulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant that can be naturally found in the cell walls of grains like rice, oats, and corn. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and has the ability to boost the performance of other antioxidants as well.
A well-known study found that adding Ferulic Acid to a solution of Vitamins C and E doubled the photoprotection of skin. This is why you'll often see it paired with Vitamin C or Vitamin E serums rather than sold on its own.
A 2025 review of 18 human studies found that using Ferulic Acid (0.5-1%) daily for one to three months showed improvements in:
As far as allergies go, Ferulic acid is generally well-tolerated but can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases. It's also worth noting that Ferulic acid is often extracted from plant sources like rice bran or wheat bran, so be sure to path test if you have known grain allergies.
Outside of skincare, researchers are also looking into Ferulic Acid for its potential benefits in areas like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart health.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 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
