What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentFructan
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Algae Extract
EmollientGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidium Sesquipedale Extract
Skin ProtectingCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Alanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrideceth-10
CleansingArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycereth-20
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan Stearate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Cetyl Dimethicone, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Fructan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Algae Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Gelidium Sesquipedale Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Serine, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Alanine, Lysine, Threonine, Proline, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trideceth-10, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycereth-20, Dipropylene Glycol, Arginine, Carbomer, Betaine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingGynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSasa Quelpaertensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPikea Robusta Extract
Antioxidant
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Pikea Robusta Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glutathione, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sodium Dna, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Arginine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Carbomer, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 AllantoinArginine 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 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 CarbomerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinWe don't have a description for Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract yet.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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
