What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Houttuynia Cordata Extract 80%
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingOriganum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentHouttuynia Cordata Extract 80%, Butylene Glycol, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gluconolactone, Arginine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Dextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingBetaine
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Octyldodeceth-16, Panthenol, Arginine, Betaine, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Gluconolactone, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Limonene, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Tocopherol
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinArginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to 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 GlycolDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Gluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractPanthenol 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 PanthenolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water