What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingBetaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Betaine, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Betaine Salicylate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Arginine
Masking
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingVinyldimethicone
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Dextrin
AbsorbentHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cassia Tora Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingSaponaria Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Plantago Major Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, C14-22 Alcohols, Arginine, Glycolic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Vinyldimethicone, Butylene Glycol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Dextrin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Panthenol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Cassia Tora Seed Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Plantago Major Leaf Extract, Potentilla Anserina 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.
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
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 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosideSodium 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
