What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLaurus Nobilis Leaf Extract
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Arginine
Masking
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingHoney Extract
Humectant
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParietaria Officinalis Extract
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Parfum
Masking
Water, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Arginine, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Honey Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Parfum
Reviews
Alternatives
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerArginine 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
