What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantDimethicone
EmollientArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Rapa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAcetyl Methionine
Skin ConditioningTheanine
EmollientProline
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientArachidic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlgin
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Microcrystalline Wax, Betaine, Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Arginine, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citric Acid, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Apium Graveolens Extract, Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lysine Hcl, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Proline, Palmitic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Oleic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Algin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Natto Gum, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Acer Saccharum Sap
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAcetylated Hydrogenated Vegetable Glyceride
EmollientSqualane
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
PerfumingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantMaltitol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sunflower Seed Oil Glycerides
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAcer Rubrum Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Dextrin
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRutin
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPhaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract
EmollientAcer Saccharum Sap, Glycerin, Propanediol, Acetylated Hydrogenated Vegetable Glyceride, Squalane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Synthetic Beeswax, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Sorbitan Stearate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Maltitol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sunflower Seed Oil Glycerides, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Acer Rubrum Bark Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Asiaticoside, Arginine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Dextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rutin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopherol, Phaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract
Reviews
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 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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinSorbitan Stearate is an emulsifier made by reacting sorbitol with stearic acid.
It's mostly used to keep oil and water mixed so your formulas stay smooth and stable.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has found 4% of this ingredient in repeat-insult patch tests on humans to be non-sensitizing. There is a caveat that some reactions have shown up in patients with damaged or diseased skin.
Because it is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it falls into the C11-24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize. This means this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan StearateWater. 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