Water. 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

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising

Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).

Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.

Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.

In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.

Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Glycol

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Skin Conditioning

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away. As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as oil and water.

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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 Hyaluronate

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.

This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.

This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Wonder Ceramide Mochi Water Cream

Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream

When to use

TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mochi Water Cream 36 ingredients

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream 48 ingredients

98 Routines

49% use in am

51% use in pm

95% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

205 Routines

48% use in am

52% use in pm

97% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mochi Water Cream 36 ingredients

3.7 /5

from 3 ratings

Hydrating (2) Great Value (2) Irritating (1)

Elizabeth C

3 months ago

Review

INSANELY hydrating, great value for the amount of product you get

TONYMOLY

Wonder Ceramide Mochi Water Cream

Taylor McCoy

20 days ago

Review

Felt moisturized, but did not keep my acne away well. It made my rosacea worse.

#great value

#hydrating

#broke me out

#irritating

TONYMOLY

Wonder Ceramide Mochi Water Cream

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream 48 ingredients

4.0 /5

from 3 ratings

Hydrating (3) Heavy (2) Works Well (2)

Auria

8 months ago

Review

It’s a moisturiser made for dry and dry-combo skin. This is very hydrating but it can leave my skin feeling a little too sticky and moisturizing as the texture is on the slightly thicker side (cream) but it is lightweight. I tend to like to use this product during my night time routine and especially for the colder months (autumn + winter seasons). I have seen cases where this moisturizer had Show more

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#sticky

#light scent

Isntree

Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream

su maya

6 months ago

Review

i would only recommend this product to those who have dry skin as it does nothing but provide intense hydration

the only con of this product is that it feels quite sticky on the skin. bc of that reason i have never tried using it under makeup as i’m scared if it will pill or ruin my makeup :/

if you have severe dry skin this is perfect all year round but if not, i would suggest only using Show more

#hydrating

#heavy

#sticky

#light scent

Isntree

Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream