What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Styrene/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Volcanic Rock
Abrasive
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Paeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Althaea Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glycereth-26, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Volcanic Rock, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Althaea Officinalis Leaf Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Salix Alba Bark Water
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Arginine
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Mentha Haplocalix Extract
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Water, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Arginine, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Mentha Haplocalix Extract
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 AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinSodium 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
