What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Artemisia Capillaris Extract 50%
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventAsiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingChrysanthemum Boreale Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Dioscorea Oppositifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Panthenol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Water, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Artemisia Capillaris Extract 50%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Caffeine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Methylpropanediol, Asiatic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Limonene, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Dextrin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Malt Extract, Chrysanthemum Boreale Flower Extract, Dioscorea Oppositifolia Root Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Carbomer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice
Skin ConditioningPhyllostachys Bambusoides Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Gluconolactone, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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 AllantoinButylene 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 CarbomerDipropylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPolyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser.
On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateSodium 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
