What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPrunus Persica Gum
Glycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingTilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Saccharide Isomerate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Prunus Persica Gum, Glycine, Alanine, Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Panthenol, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Benzoate, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Leaf/Seed Extract
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingDavidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBackhousia Anisata Leaf Extract
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientCoenochloris Signiensis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantArginine
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMenthol
MaskingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingSodium Nitrate
SoothingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingMenthone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingL-Menthanone
PerfumingEucalyptol
PerfumingD-Pulegone
PerfumingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingNeomenthol
PerfumingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPinene
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLecithin
EmollientGlyoxal
AntimicrobialCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Gluconolactone, Coffea Arabica Leaf/Seed Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Davidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Backhousia Anisata Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Coenochloris Signiensis Extract, Glycerin, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Mandelic Acid, Maltodextrin, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium Nitrate, Polysorbate 60, Disodium Phosphate, Menthone, Limonene, L-Menthanone, Eucalyptol, D-Pulegone, Beta-Caryophyllene, Neomenthol, Sodium Phosphate, Pinene, Sodium Benzoate, Lecithin, Glyoxal, Calcium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ArginineGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneMenthyl lactate is an ester of menthol and lactic acid. It is often used as a cooling agent and fragrance.
When applied topically, this ingredient leaves a refreshing sensation like menthol, but is less irritating.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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