What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingSerine
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantFructose
HumectantCalcium Gluconate
HumectantGlucose
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
AbsorbentCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Serine, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Ectoin, Xylitylglucoside, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Beta-Glucan, Allantoin, Gluconolactone, Inulin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Persea Gratissima Oil, Xylitol, Fructose, Calcium Gluconate, Glucose, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Cellulose, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingBetaine
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPanthenyl Triacetate
Naringenin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantHydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
AbsorbentGlucose
HumectantCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Panthenyl Triacetate, Naringenin, Arginine, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Allantoin, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Inulin, Fructose, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Glucose, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinThis ingredient is also known as tara gum or Peruvian carob. It is a thickening and stabilizing ingredient derived from seeds of the Tara tree.
Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum yet.
Inulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.
The majority of inulin is extracted from chicory, but can also be obtained from other plants such as garlic, onion, asparagus, and sugarcane.
Studies show inulin may help with controlling your skin's natural microbiota when applied topically.
The antioxidant potential of inulin varies depending on the source.
Learn more about InulinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThis ingredient is also known as Avocado oil. It's the cold-pressed oil from the flesh of the avocado fruit packed with fatty acids (mostly oleic acid).
The rich fatty acid profile allows it to function as a skin conditioning agent and emollient; it helps soften and smooth skin while reducing water loss.
Preclinical research has found that topical avocado oil increased collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation during wound healing, giving it some skin-repairing credibility.
The unsaponifiable fraction of the oil is also interesting: studies on avocado unsaponifiables showed that it helped skin produce more collagen and other structural compounds that support healing.
The CIR Expert Panel has found this ingredient to be non-irritating in formulations.
It's a great ingredient for dry or compromised skin. Just know it may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the oleic acid content falls within the range that Malassezia can use as a food source.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWe don't have a description for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate yet.
We don't have a description for Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids yet.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum