What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Houttuynia Cordata Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Tromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Betaine
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Water, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phytate, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Magnesium Chloride
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glutathione
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Betaine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Pantolactone, Tocopherol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ubiquinone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Magnesium Chloride, Alcohol, Glutathione, Polysorbate 80, Calcium Gluconate, Pyridoxine Hcl, BHT, Yeast Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Disodium EDTA
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s 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 GlycolGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactonePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
