What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCutibacterium Avidum/Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate 9.7%
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningProtease
ExfoliatingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningHenbane Extract
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantLecithin
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cutibacterium Avidum/Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate 9.7%, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Fructan, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Protease, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Henbane Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cellulose Gum, Beta-Glucan, Polyquaternium-51, Fructooligosaccharides, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBifida Ferment Lysate 3.6%
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate 3.6%
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningColostrum
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMilk Lipids
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnesium Chloride
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Bifida Ferment Lysate 3.6%, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate 3.6%, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Colostrum, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Xylitol, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Milk Lipids, Betaine, Panthenol, Glucose, Glycerin, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Adenosine, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Magnesium Chloride, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
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
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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 FructooligosaccharidesGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinLactobacillus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic with skin soothing properties. Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient comes from the secretion of the bacteria, Lactobacillus.
Studies show this ingredient can help calm redness and may help treat the signs of photoaging; however, the evidence is inconclusive and further studies are needed.
Lactobacillus Ferment is generally considered safe for fungal-acne prone skin. The key thing to understand is that it comes from bacteria, not yeast or fungus.
Yeast-derived ferments (like galactomyces) have been shown to activate a protein that's linked to Malassezia-related skin issues whereas lactobacillus doesn't have that problem.
Its byproducts also don't contain the types of fatty acids (C11-24 chain lengths) that Malassezia feeds on.
Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment LysatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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