What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Water
Astringent
Amylopectin
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Xylitol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantAsiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Salix Alba Bark Water, Amylopectin, Dimethicone, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Xylitol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Myristyl Glucoside, Arginine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Citric Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Tromethamine, Glycolipids, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Erythritol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Arginine
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlutathione
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Erythritol, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Chlorphenesin, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Glutathione, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
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.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 AllantoinArginine 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 CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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
