What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyacrylate-13
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSafflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
O-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantBehenic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
CleansingWater, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylate-13, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Polyisobutene, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Triethyl Citrate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Tocopherol, Behenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lactic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentWater, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Polyacrylamide, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Citric Acid, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Laureth-7, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
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
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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