What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Extract
PerfumingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Carterii Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientRose Flower Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingGlycine Max Oil
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningWater, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Lactate, Gluconolactone, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Caffeine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Citric Acid, Glycine Max Oil, Beta-Carotene
Centella Asiatica Extract 88%
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract
AstringentThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract 88%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pentylene Glycol, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid
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 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 PanthenolSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractWater. 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