What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingCymbopogon Martini Oil
MaskingVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantBetaine
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Betaine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Geraniol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Citronellol, Hyaluronic Acid, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Linalool
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Isethionate
CleansingParfum
MaskingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder
Glycine Soja Seed Powder
AbrasiveCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialDextrin
AbsorbentGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
AstringentLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Chloride
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingCitral
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingTrisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Benzoate
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Coconut Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Cellulose, Sodium Isethionate, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder, Glycine Soja Seed Powder, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate, Betaine, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Coptis Japonica Extract, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Coco-Betaine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Sodium Chloride, Linalool, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Citral, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Trisodium Phosphate, Potassium Benzoate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract
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.Β
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 preservativesΒ
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 AllantoinBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract is a fragrance.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolWe don't have a description for Cynanchum Atratum Extract yet.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPanthenol 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 PanthenolWater. 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