What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Soluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPantolactone
HumectantHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Soluble Proteoglycan, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Pantolactone, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract 10%
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSophora Flavescens Extract
Skin ConditioningImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCodonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Propolis Extract 10%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Sophora Flavescens Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Arginine, Madecassoside, Allantoin, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Honey Extract, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Biotin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Disodium EDTA
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
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 AllantoinAscorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited. Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid yet.
Madecassoside 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 MadecassosidePentylene 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 GlycolSodium 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