What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Benzyl Glycol, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Hyaluronic Acid
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract 71.77%
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantMorinda Citrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
C12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract 71.77%, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Morinda Citrifolia Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C12-13 Pareth-9, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water, Allantoin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin
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 AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
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
