What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCeteth-3
EmulsifyingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Hydrolyzed Collagen 44%
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Dimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientHoney Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSerine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen 44%, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetearyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Citrate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Honey Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Beta-Glucan, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Serine, Lysine, Alanine, Arginine, Threonine, Proline, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 ArginineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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