What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-121
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-68
Bleaching
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
PCA
Humectant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dextran
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Oleate
CleansingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-121, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Oligopeptide-68, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Tocopherol, Dextran, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Polyquaternium-51, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Oleate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Honey
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Zea Mays Silk Extract
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Glucoside
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCollagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningBulbine Frutescens Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSucrose
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientArginine
Masking
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Camphor
Masking
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Tapioca Starch
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Honey, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Zea Mays Silk Extract, Heptyl Glucoside, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Collagen Extract, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Bulbine Frutescens Leaf Juice, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose, Arbutin, Tropolone, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Arginine, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Camphor, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Tapioca Starch, Thioctic Acid
Reviews
Alternatives
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 ArginineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium Sorbate
