What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Sucrose
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPiper Nigrum Fruit Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Sucrose, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract
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 ArginineBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
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 GlycolCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract comes from the common Marigold plant part of the Asteraceae family. This ingredient is a skin conditioner.
Marigolds contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are a group of substances found naturally in plants. They possess antioxidant and inflammation properties.
This ingredient soothes skin inflammation by inhibiting inhibiting a part of the inflammation process.
Marigolds have been used in traditional medicine throughout Asia and Europe.
Learn more about Calendula Officinalis Flower ExtractGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate is made by combining ten units of glycerin with oleic acid.
According to a manufacturer, it is a low-irritation and hydrophilic (water loving) skin conditioning agent. It also improves the sensory feel and texture of a product.
The Malassezia yeast survives by eating certain fats, including oleic acid. Since this ingredient is made from oleic acid, it might not be fungal acne safe. However, it should be noted this oleic acid is chemically bound to a large polyglycerol molecule, so it might not trigger fungal acne for everyone.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 OleatePolyglyceryl-10 Stearate is a skin conditioner with emollient and emulsifier properties.
It is an esther of stearic acid and Polyglycerin-10.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 StearateSodium 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
