What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sorbitol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Diglycerin, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Chlorphenesin, Yeast Extract, Arginine, Carbomer, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Parfum, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Proline
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
Perfuming
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glucose, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine, Ferulic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Propanediol, Cellulose Gum, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucosePropanediol 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
