What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Myristyl Alcohol, Myristyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Decyl Glucoside, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Zinc Oxide, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
