What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycereth-26, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Adenosine, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglutamic Acid, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
StabilisingSqualane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantBromelain
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPapain
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 60, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Parfum, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Soluble Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Mannitol, Bromelain, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Papain, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, CI 15985, CI 17200
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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractSodium 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