What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Maris Limus Extract
Skin ProtectingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Limonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearoyl Inulin
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 61565
Cosmetic ColorantDenatonium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitic Acid, Arginine, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Glycolipids, Glycosphingolipids, Panthenol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Oleate, Maris Limus Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hyaluronic Acid, Limonium Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis Extract, Glucose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearoyl Inulin, Sodium Citrate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Polyglutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 61565, Denatonium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventHydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCucumaria Frondosa Extract
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Myristoyl Hexapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Triethanolamine, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cucumaria Frondosa Extract, Propylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Myristoyl Hexapeptide-5, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
