What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Betaine
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Trisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Honey Extract
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Parfum, Glycereth-26, Allantoin, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Oryza Sativa Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Alcohol Denat., Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Betaine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Trisodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Trehalose, Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Honey Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Gluconate, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cellulose Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolThis extract comes from cucumber. Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and hydrating properties.
They contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
The amino acids found in cucumbers help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle (it's an important part of our skin barrier). This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, this is generally a non-irritating ingredient.
Fun fact: Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.
Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
