What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingHydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Glucose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantAdipic Acid
BufferingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Dodoxynol-40 Sulfate
Benzyl Glycol
SolventAcetic Acid
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingButoxydiglycol
MaskingAvena Sativa Straw Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCanavalia Gladiata Extract
AstringentWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Arginine, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Adipic Acid, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Dodoxynol-40 Sulfate, Benzyl Glycol, Acetic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Raspberry Ketone, Butoxydiglycol, Avena Sativa Straw Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Canavalia Gladiata Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingPropanediol
SolventMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Rice Bran Oil
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBetaine
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParaffin
PerfumingMadecassoside
AntioxidantMonascus/Rice Ferment
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Rice Bran Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sorbitan Stearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Polysorbate 60, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Paraffin, Madecassoside, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
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
Arginine 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 ArginineGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOryza Sativa Bran Extract comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.
This ingredient has moisturizing properties due to its components of polysaccharides and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains calcium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract contains numerous antioxidants such as ferulic acid. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa Bran ExtractParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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