What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantMethyl Glycyrrhizate
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventParfum
MaskingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Betaine, Methyl Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Parfum, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAzulene
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA-Copper
AstringentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Azulene, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium EDTA-Copper, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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