What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlucose
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Xylitol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Panthenol, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Glycerin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Tocopherol, Anhydroxylitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glucose, Ceramide NP, Carbomer
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
TonicPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingRosa Damascena Flower Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Water, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Arginine, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Carbomer, Freesia Refracta Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Potassium Sorbate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol
Reviews
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. Itâs 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 CarbomerDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, antiâinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDipropylene 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 âgoodâ 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractPanthenol 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 PanthenolTocopherol 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