What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Polyquaternium-39
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ag
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Cera
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Buteth-3
SolventDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Tributyl Citrate
SolventPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Lactobionic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Sodium Salicylate, Polyquaternium-39, Phenoxyethanol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Allantoin, Ceramide Ag, Oryza Sativa Cera, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Buteth-3, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tributyl Citrate, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Maltodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthoxydiglycol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Paeonia Lactiflora Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alpha-Arbutin, Betaine, Paeonia Lactiflora Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Hexyldecanol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Cyanocobalamin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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
