What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Water, Betaine, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ectoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Ubiquinone, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 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 Water
