What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingPolyphenylsilsesquioxane
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberVinyldimethicone
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Vinyldimethicone, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Glucoside, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ceramide NP
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycol Stearate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCollagen
MoisturisingAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Isopropyl Myristate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Glycol Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol, Collagen, Avena Sativa Peptide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 GlycerinSodium 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