What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPEG-20
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingRosa Centifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-20, Methyl Gluceth-20, Alcohol Denat., 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rosa Centifolia Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPetrolatum
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingPyridoxine Dipalmitate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientSucrose
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
PEG-150
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hexametaphosphate
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Isostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Squalane, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Caffeine, Methyl Trimethicone, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyaspartate, Petrolatum, Trehalose, Lactis Proteinum, Linoleic Acid, Pyridoxine Dipalmitate, Butylene Glycol, Cholesterol, Sucrose, Polysilicone-11, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, PEG-150, PEG-8, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyacetophenone, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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