What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Arginine
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sucrose, Panthenol, Potassium Chloride, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Niacinamide, Parfum, Cellulose Gum, Adenosine, Raspberry Ketone, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Arginine, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glutathione, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAgar
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Raspberry Ketone
MaskingCalcium Lactate
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Chloride
Glucose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTitanium/Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantTin Oxide
AbrasiveUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Caffeine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Agar, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Raspberry Ketone, Calcium Lactate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Chloride, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ubiquinone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Tin Oxide, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Phosphate, CI 77891, CI 77007
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinWe don't have a description for Benzyl Glycol yet.
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 GlycolCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumCeratonia Siliqua Gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. You might know this ingredient as Carob Gum or Locust Bean Gum. It is used to stabilize other ingredients and improve the texture of products.
Carob gum is made up of long-chain polysaccharides. This makes it a natural thickener.
Yes! This ingredient comes from the seeds of a tree. The name 'Locust Bean Gum' can be misleading.
Learn more about Ceratonia Siliqua GumDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.
Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.
Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.
This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:
Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilWe don't have a description for Potassium Chloride yet.
Raspberry Ketone is a fragrance.
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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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