What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract 10%
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sophora Flavescens Extract
Skin ConditioningImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Disodium 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
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Surfactant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Acrylate/Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSucrose Stearate
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
C18-21 Alkane
SolventMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Trisodium EDTA
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Troxerutin
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Arginine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Niacinamide, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Dimethicone, Betaine, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Methylpropanediol, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Sodium Dna, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylate/Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ceramide NP, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Squalane, Tromethamine, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Sucrose Stearate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, C18-21 Alkane, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Adenosine, Arachidyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopherol, Palmitic Acid, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium EDTA, Glycine Soja Oil, Trideceth-6, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Stearate, Troxerutin, Beta-Glucan, Carbomer, PEG-100 Stearate, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Glycosphingolipids, Linalool, Limonene
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 ArginineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium 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
