What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glyceryl Caprylate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Beta-Glucan
Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Myristyl Alcohol, PCA, Allantoin, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrasodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate
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.
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 preservatives
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 AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 GlycolSodium 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 Water
