What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDodecane
PerfumingC15-19 Alkane
SolventHordeum Vulgare Seed Flour
AbrasiveEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningN-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-10
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyacrylate-13
Pullulan
Polyisobutene
Silica
AbrasivePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingDextran
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Dodecane, C15-19 Alkane, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Flour, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Glutamine, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Tocopherol, Polyacrylate-13, Pullulan, Polyisobutene, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Malic Acid, Dextran, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBetaine
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDextran
Disodium EDTA
Acetic Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Betaine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Disodium EDTA, Acetic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, 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.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
We don't have a description for Acetyl Glutamine yet.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1 is a peptide.
This peptide is more commonly known as Thymulen 4 BG.
It is derived from a youth hormone called thymopoietin. Thymopoietin helps regulate the immune system and decreases naturally with age.
According to the manufacturer, this peptide boosts the skin's immune defenses and regenerates the outer layers of skin.
Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract is an antioxidant.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDextran is a sugar (polysaccharide) with skin hydrating properties.
Fun fact: Louis Pasteur first discovered this ingredient as a microbial product in wine.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 Propanediolsh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1This peptide has similar properties to Sh-Oligopeptide-1.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
There is also controversy surrounding EGF. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-2Sh-Polypeptide-1 is a signal peptide that tells our cells to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-11 is a signal protein that tells our skin to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-9 is a signal peptide that tells our body to create more blood vessels.
It is important to note, this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water