What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Trehalose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bakuchiol, Trehalose, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, C12-14 Pareth-12, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate
Water
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Ecklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingChitosan
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycol Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Minutissima Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Retinol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Chitosan, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycol Stearate Se, Stearic Acid, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Coptis Japonica Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Parfum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Chlorella Minutissima Extract, Plankton Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Spirulina Platensis Extract
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
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
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 HyaluronateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
