What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientAcetyl Sh-Heptapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
Humectant
Calcium PCA
Humectant
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingSqualene
Emollient
Santalum Album Extract
CleansingPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Urtica Dioica Extract
AstringentEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Lecithin
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Glycosaminoglycans, Acetyl Sh-Heptapeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Calcium PCA, Laureth-12, Squalene, Santalum Album Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Phytic Acid, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Linoleic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Urtica Dioica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate-13
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Serum Albumin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Husk Oil
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Fibronectin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
CI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Glycoproteins, Polyacrylate-13, Soluble Collagen, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Serum Albumin, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Husk Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Wax, Fibronectin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Steareth-20, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Sodium Citrate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, CI 16255, CI 77491, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dipeptide-2, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Bisulfite
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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
