What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glucose
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingFructose
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glucose, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Fructose, Fructooligosaccharides, Tromethamine, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMenthol
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Butylene Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Betaine, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Menthol, Sodium Citrate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Tocopherol
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
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolChlorella Vulgaris Extract comes from a green microalga. It is hydrating and contains antioxidants.
Studies also show Chlorella Vulgaris may help in rebuilding collagen and elastin. This ingredient is made up of lipids, carbohydrates, and chlorophyll.
Fun fact: This ingredient is commonly used as food additive in Japan.
Learn more about Chlorella Vulgaris ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinFructooligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of prebiotic sugar with humectant and skin conditioning properties. As a humectant, they help attract and hold moisture in the skin.
FOS essentially acts as a food source for the "good" bacteria on your skin and make it harder for "bad" bacteria to thrive. A 2022 study using a reconstructured human skin model found that just 1% of FOS was enough to shift the bacteria balance in favor of beneficial species. This suggests it could help support a healthier skin microbiome over time.
This ingredient has a low sensitization risk and testing shows it does not classify as a skin irritant or sensitizer.
FOS are usually produced from sugar beets and can also be found in foods like bananas, garlic, and onions.
Learn more about FructooligosaccharidesGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 ParfumTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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