What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Diethylhexyl Sebacate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningZinc Glycinate
BufferingTaurine
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantThreonine
Valine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingCitrus Sinensis Peel Extract
PerfumingPalmitoyl Olive Leaf Extract
AntioxidantMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveIsostearic Acid
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-18
Quaternium-33
Cholesterol
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingDiethylhexyl Sebacate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Propolis Extract, Gamma-Docosalactone, Zinc Glycinate, Taurine, Lysine Hcl, Alanine, Arginine, Histidine Hcl, Serine, Proline, Glutamic Acid, Threonine, Valine, Leucine, Glycine, Allantoin, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract, Palmitoyl Olive Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Bicarbonate, Isostearic Acid, Water, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-18, Quaternium-33, Cholesterol, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantAminopropyl Dimethicone
Gamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningDiammonium Dithiodiglycolate
Propylenediammonium Dimaleate
Hydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
CleansingCystine
MaskingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSuizendinori Polysaccharide
Arginine
MaskingLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Serine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Lanolin Acid
CleansingDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl
HumectantPolyquaternium-65
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPCA
HumectantBis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Lauraminopropionate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Gamma-Docosalactone, Diammonium Dithiodiglycolate, Propylenediammonium Dimaleate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Cystine, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Suizendinori Polysaccharide, Arginine, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Serine, Proline, Leucine, Valine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Glycine, Alanine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Methionine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Keratin, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Cetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Lanolin Acid, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl, Polyquaternium-65, Sodium Hyaluronate, PCA, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Phytosterols, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Lauraminopropionate, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body. Our skin uses alanine to build collagen, elastin, and keratin.
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
Learn more about Ceramide APCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPWe don't have a description for Gamma-Docosalactone yet.
Glycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if 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.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
Hydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinYou can find hydrolyzed silk in both haircare and skincare products. According to a manufacturer, it can help improve skin and hair hydration.
This ingredient is created by adding acid or enzymes to 'hydrolyze' silk protein.
Due to the origins of this ingredient, it is not vegan. Silk is an animal product from silkworms.
Depending on the source, this ingredient can be considered cruelty-free. It is created from left-over cocoons of silkworms. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about where their hydrolyzed silk comes from.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed SilkIsoleucine is an amino acid that helps reinforce our skin barrier. This amino acid plays a role in creating protein for the body.
Fun fact: Isoleucine is found in meat, fish, dairy, legumes, and nuts.
We don't have a description for Leucine yet.
Lysine HCl is an alpha amino acid salt.
Our skin uses amino acids as a precursor for building protein, and therefore keratins, collagen and elastin.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Phenylalanine is an amino acid. It is a skin soothing and hydrating ingredient. Amino acids play a crucial role in wound healing and skin hydration.
This ingredient is also used to help even out skin tone due to its ability to disrupt the melanin production process.
Two structures of phenylalanine exist: L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is essential, this means our bodies cannot produce it naturally and we must get it from foods. Our bodies convert D-phenylalanine to neurotransmitters, and D-phenylalanine is found in our bodies naturally.
Some foods that contain L-phenylalanine include eggs, soybeans, beef, milk.
Learn more about PhenylalanineProline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning your body can make it on its own. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
It makes up about 23% of the collagen molecule (collagen is the protein responsible for keeping your skin firm) and is involved in your skin's natural hyaluronic acid production. When applied topically, proline can penetrate the skin fairly well due to its small molecular size.
Reviews of this ingredient have found it to be neither a dermal irritant nor a sensitizer.
Fun fact: Proline can be found in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
Learn more about ProlineSerine is a non-essential amino acid (your body makes it on its own!). It is a major player in 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.
Serine is one of your NMF's most abundant components that works as a skin-identical humectant. Its hydroxyl group grabs onto water molecules to boost hydration without any heaviness or occlusion.
Research on a hydrogel with serine confirmed this serine got delivered to your stratum corneum and demonstrated enhanced skin moisturization.
Interestingly serine also helps your skin produce filaggrin, a protein that keeps your skin barrier strong and used to create collagen.
Learn more about SerineThreonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.
Our skin uses threonine for creating collagen and elastin. Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.
Valine is an essential amino acid. It is used by our bodies for tissue repair and muscle growth.
An essential amino acid is one in which our bodies cannot naturally produce so we must get them through diet. Foods such as eggs, dairy, red meat, and fish contain valine.
This ingredient can either be derived from an animal product or be synthetically created.
Learn more about ValineWater. 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