What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Houttuynia Cordata Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Water, Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Panthenol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polygonum Multiflorum Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Carbomer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Polygonum Multiflorum Extract, Betaine, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Panthenol, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract
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 ArginineBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 ExtractDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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