What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientXylitylglucoside
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingXylitol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlucose
HumectantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlgin
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Dimethicone, Xylitylglucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Urea, Xylitol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Glucose, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Caprylyl Glycol, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientHexyl Laurate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingRosa Damascena Extract
MaskingAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Steareth-21
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAlgin
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Serine
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Steareth-2, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Steareth-21, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Algin, Sodium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Serine, Caramel, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol, Geraniol
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAlgin is brown algae. Algae is an informal term for a group of aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize. It is estimated there are at least 30,000 types of Algae.
Algae contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolSerine is a non-essential amino acid (your body makes it on its own!). It is a major player in your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Serine is one of your NMF's most abundant components that works as a skin-identical humectant. Its hydroxyl group grabs onto water molecules to boost hydration without any heaviness or occlusion.
Research on a hydrogel with serine confirmed this serine got delivered to your stratum corneum and demonstrated enhanced skin moisturization.
Interestingly serine also helps your skin produce filaggrin, a protein that keeps your skin barrier strong and used to create collagen.
Learn more about SerineSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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