What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Acetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Nicotinate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPanicum Miliaceum Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropylcellulose
EmulsifyingSimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Farnesol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Geraniol
Perfuming
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol Denat., Water, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Adenosine Phosphate, Arginine, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Creatine, Pyridoxine Hcl, Glucosamine Hcl, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Nicotinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Malt Extract, Yeast Extract, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Simethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Farnesol, Eugenol, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Phenoxyethanol
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Punica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Undecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Alanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Brassica Alba Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-177
Oligopeptide-6
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethyl Oleate, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Undecane, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Squalane, Tridecane, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Tocopherol, Water, Glycerin, Lecithin, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Brassica Alba Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Oligopeptide-177, Oligopeptide-6, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCitral 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 CitronellolGeraniol 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 GlycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl 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 Water
