What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBerberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingMalachite Extract
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, C14-22 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Trehalose, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Allantoin, Propanediol, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Malachite Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingThuja Occidentalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCalcium Pantothenate
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyphosphate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingMenadione
MaskingTricalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveSilica
AbrasiveCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingTripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diisostearyl Malate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Thuja Occidentalis Leaf Oil, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Coptis Japonica Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Collagen Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyphosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sodium Ascorbate, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Menadione, Tricalcium Phosphate, Silica, Copper Tripeptide-1, Biotin, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Linoleic Acid, Tripeptide-2, Hexapeptide-1, Beta-Carotene, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Disodium EDTA
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
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePropanediol 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 PropanediolTromethamine (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 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