What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isochrysis Galbana Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Swertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingArginine
Masking
Chlorella Vulgaris Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Antimicrobial
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantAspartic Acid
Masking
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycine
Buffering
PCA
Humectant
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silk Amino Acids
HumectantLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sh-Oligopeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Alanine
Masking
Phytic Acid
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicSerine
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Valine
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Apigenin
Antioxidant
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9
Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Butylene Glycol, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Swertia Japonica Extract, Sodium Citrate, Arginine, Chlorella Vulgaris Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Gluconolactone, Caprylyl Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lecithin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Sorbitol, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Panthenol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Propanediol, Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Aspartic Acid, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-8, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycine, PCA, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Citric Acid, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Sh-Oligopeptide-10, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Urea, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Alanine, Phytic Acid, Biotin, Serine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Valine, Disodium EDTA, Arbutin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-12, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Zinc Chloride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Apigenin, Phenylpropanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9, Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCopper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a skin repairing ingredient known for its ability to boost collagen, improve firmness, and support skin regeneration.
It is a complex made up of a naturally occurring peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) and copper, an essential trace element.
While studying wound healing, researchers noticed GHK-Cu stimulated hair follicle enlargement and growth by keeping hair in its active growth phase longer. This has made it a promising ingredient for hair regrowth treatments.
Some people have reported increased facial hair. While GHK-Cu can make your hair follicles bigger, it usually doesn’t turn soft, barely-visible facial hairs into thick, dark ones.
Anecdotal reports suggest that overusing copper peptides might lead to premature aging due to excess free copper or enzyme imbalances. This claim isn’t backed by large-scale studies.
Unfortunately, there are limited human studies for this ingredient. While early results are promising, many studies are either small, in-vitro, or not rigorously controlled.
For example, there is a 1998 study that explored the effects of copper tripeptide, vitamin C, tretinoin, and melatonin on skin repair and collagen synthesis.
After one month, increased procollagen production was seen in 7 out of 10 participants using copper tripeptide (more than those using vitamin C, melatonin, or tretinoin.
While the study was exploratory, it offers early evidence that copper tripeptide may support collagen production. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed to confirm its potential and understand individual responses.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Copper Tripeptide-1Pentylene 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 GlycolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
