What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientPisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Perfuming
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Apigenin
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycine, Arginine, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Gluconolactone, Dextran, Apigenin, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Zinc Chloride, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Apigenin
Antioxidant
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Geranium Maculatum Extract
TonicGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Histidine
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Cloprostenate
Magnesium
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Pilocarpus Pennatifolius Leaf Extract
TonicPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Menthyl Lactate, Alanine, Alcohol, Apigenin, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Bisabolol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Histidine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Isoleucine, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Magnesium, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Oleanolic Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Panthenol, Parfum, PCA, Phenylalanine, Pilocarpus Pennatifolius Leaf Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Proline, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Threonine, Valine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Benzoic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sorbic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Apigenin is an antioxidant.
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 ArginineBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1 is a lab-made molecule that combines two parts: biotin (vitamin B7) and Tripeptide-1. Together, they form a peptide that’s often used in hair and eyelash products.
In-vitro studies show this ingredient helps hair bulb cells grow faster and product more structual proteins. This helps keep hair securely anchored in the follicle.
A small human study using a mascara with 2% Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 reported lashes that were about 17% longer and 19% thicker after one month.
One study from 2025 compared topical spray vs. a combined tropical/oral treatment. The combination group saw greater increases in total hair count.
While these early results are encouraging, most of the data comes from in-vitro experiments (in test tubes) or small, short-term trials.
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 looks promising for supporting hair strength and growth but there’s not yet strong clinical evidence to confirm how well it works.
Learn more about Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1Butylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycine 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.
Oleanolic acid is a type of triterpene.
Triterpenes are chemical compounds found in various plants such as pomegranates, apples, basil, and rosemary. They have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for PPG-26-Buteth-26 yet.
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 BenzoateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Water. 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
