What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMalachite Extract
AntioxidantCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingGuaiazulene
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-14 Pareth-12, Tromethamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Malachite Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Rutin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Guaiazulene, Gluconolactone, Sea Water, Sodium PCA, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningC20-22 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGellan Gum
Agar
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenylpropanol
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLevulinic Acid
PerfumingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSodium Phytate
Sodium Dna
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, C20-22 Alkyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Gellan Gum, Agar, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Citric Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Phytosterols, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Arginine, Cyanocobalamin, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sodium Chloride, Phenylpropanol, Tocopherol, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Collagen, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Dna
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
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 ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPropanediol 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 Propanediolsh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum