What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHieracium Umbellatum Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlycolic Acid
BufferingBetaine
HumectantSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentArginine
MaskingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingRheum Palmatum Root Extract
AstringentArtemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Sulfone
SolventLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantWater, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hieracium Umbellatum Extract, Gluconolactone, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glycolic Acid, Betaine, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Arginine, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Chlorphenesin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Dimethyl Sulfone, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlutathione
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCanavalia Gladiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingCeratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantDipeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-7
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glutathione, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Squalane, Glycerin, Allantoin, Cyanocobalamin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Canavalia Gladiata Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Dipeptide-1, Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Dipeptide-4, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Chlorphenesin, Maltodextrin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Arginine, Phytosterols, Carbomer, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Citric Acid
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
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 ArginineButylene 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 CarbomerChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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