What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Geranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Thymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentAlpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentGlucose
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAlgin
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ergothioneine, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Calcium Chloride, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Glutathione, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Glucose, Silica, Parfum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Citrate, Algin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylcellulose
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Trideceth-10
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
2,3-Butanediol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Dipotassium EDTA
Ceramide Ag
Humectant
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Glucosyl Ceramide
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Isostearyl Alcohol, Ethoxydiglycol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Triethanolamine, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trideceth-10, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Dipotassium EDTA, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Ns, Glucosyl Ceramide, Ceramide EOP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPhenoxyethanol 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.
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractSodium 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
