What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Dextrin
AbsorbentCollagen
Moisturising
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Dextrin, Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Parfum, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Phytic Acid
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Masking
Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Squalane, Glycerin, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Phytic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Lysolecithin yet.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Pullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's ability to easily dissolves makes it a great carrier for active ingredients.
Due to it being edible and tasteless, you'll likely find this ingredient in breath freshener strips. This ingredient is produced from the starch of the fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan is stable over a broad-range of pH.
Learn more about PullulanSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumSodium 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 AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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 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
