What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Mentha Viridis Extract
MaskingPantolactone
Humectant
Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Thymus Vulgaris Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Disodium EDTA
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Mentha Viridis Extract, Pantolactone, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Nepeta Cataria Extract
TonicRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBaptisia Tinctoria Root Extract
Skin ConditioningStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Jasminum Officinale Extract
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gluconolactone, Arginine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Citric Acid, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Nepeta Cataria Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Bakuchiol, Beta-Glucan, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral
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
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 AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolDipropylene 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 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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
