What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters
Emulsion Stabilising
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Simethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Caramel
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Methysticum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScrophularia Buergeriana Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Cholesterol
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters, Diisostearyl Malate, Behenyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Simethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, Panthenol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Caramel, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Piper Methysticum Root Extract, Scrophularia Buergeriana Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Fructose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glucose, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP
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
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
