What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract 10%
CleansingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventPanthenol 1%
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAscorbic Acid Polypeptide
AntioxidantAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingPyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantTrilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientEscin
TonicDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarnosine
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract 10%, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Panthenol 1%, Beta-Sitosterol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Copper Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Tocopherol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Pyrus Malus Juice, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Escin, Dipropylene Glycol, Carnosine
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantEryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningIlex Aquifolium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Oil
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDna
Skin ConditioningDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMagnesium Sulfate
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Eryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ilex Aquifolium Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Erythritol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, C12-14 Pareth-12, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Adenosine, Glycerin, Dna, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Carbomer, Triethylhexanoin, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hedera Helix Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Calcium Chloride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Magnesium Sulfate
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.
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
Butylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractChondrus Crispus Extract comes from a red algae native to the northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It helps hydrate the skin and is rich in antioxidants.
The antioxidants in chondrus crispus include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein has the ability to filter blue light from screens.
Other contents of chondrus crispus include polysaccharides, peptides, and amino acids. These help hydrate the skin.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed?
Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, sugarcane can attract moisture to your skin.
Glycolic acid is a derivative of sugarcane. While glycolic acid is an AHA with exfoliating properties, sugarcane is not an AHA.
A study from 2021 found the compounds in sugarcane extract to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. The study also suggests these compounds can inhibit skin ageing enzymes and promote collagen synthesis.
Learn more about Saccharum Officinarum ExtractStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment is created by fermenting Streptococcus thermophilus, the same lactic acid bacteria used to make yogurt. It has humectant and skin conditioning properties.
A study from 2003 found that applying a cream containing this ingredient to human skin significantly increased ceramide levels in the stratum corneum in just 7 days. This result applied to both healthy volunteers and those with atopic dermatitis.
Ceramides are the lipids that hold your skin barrier together so they play a role in moisture retention and contribute to a stronger barrier.
The cream also improved scaling and itchiness for the group with atopic dermatitis.
How does Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment work? Your skin naturally contains a fatty substance called sphingomyelin. S. thermophilus comes packed with enzymes that snip the sphingomyelin apart and turn it into ceramides.
So it's not adding ceramides from the outside but helping your skin make more of its own.
On top of that, a 2022 lab study found that S. thermophilus extract could calm down the overactive scarring process in skin cells. It tells cells to chill out instead of producing excess scar tissue. There's also some early stage research that hints at possible wound healing perks as well.
Last but not least, the type of ceramides that S. thermophilus creates (phytosphingosine), also happens to fight the bacteria that causes breakouts.
This ingredient is generally considered fungal acne safe because it is a bacteria and not a yeast/fungus.
The ferments that raise concerns for Malassezia-prone skin are typically yeast-derived ones because they have been shown to activate a protein that's linked to Malassezia-related skin issues whereas lactobacillus doesn't have that problem.
There's no published evidence suggesting S. thermophilus promotes Malassezia growth.
Learn more about Streptococcus Thermophilus FermentTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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