What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingBenzyl Glycol
SolventBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSucrose Laurate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Benzyl Glycol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine, Histidine, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Lysolecithin, Potassium Hyaluronate, Serine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Laurate, Tocopherol, Water, Xanthan Gum
Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGardenia Florida Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentIndigofera Tinctoria Extract
MaskingTilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Flower Extract
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantTilia Cordata Leaf Extract
HumectantSucrose Stearate
EmollientAnacyclus Pyrethrum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientRose Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Gold, Caprylyl Glycol, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Panthenol, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Tilia Cordata Leaf Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Anacyclus Pyrethrum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Rose Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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.Ā
Itās 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 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