What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Glucose
Humectant
Algin
Masking
Kaolin
Abrasive
CI 77231
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Alginate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Dextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium Pyrophosphate
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiatomaceous Earth, Glucose, Algin, Kaolin, CI 77231, Xanthan Gum, Zea Mays Starch, Cellulose Gum, Trehalose, Betaine, Xylitol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Potassium Alginate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Dextrin, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBentonite
Absorbent
Betaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Methylpropanediol
SolventCollagen
Moisturising
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
CI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantScutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialWater, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Bentonite, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Cellulose, Methylpropanediol, Collagen, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Dna, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, CI 77288, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Fructooligosaccharides, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidThis ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateThis form of hyaluronic acid is produced through fermentation.
According to a manufacturer, it has a positive charge by ionic binding to help moisturize and give hair a smooth feel. This is why you'll find this ingredient in shampoos and body washes.
Kaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinPotassium hyaluronate (PH) is a salt form of hyaluronic acid and has similar skin hydrating benefits.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, PH is able to draw and hold moisture to your skin. This helps keep skin soft and hydrated.
Fun fact: PH is used in eye drops and injectable treatments for joint disorders. It has lubricating and tissue-repair properties.
Learn more about Potassium HyaluronateSodium 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 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
