What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Dimethyl Mea
BufferingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Dimethyl Mea, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thioctic Acid, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caffeine, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethylaminoethanol Tartrate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit
AstringentEthyl Vanillate
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Dimethylaminoethanol Tartrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Resveratrol, Ubiquinone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Allantoin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bisabolol, Riboflavin, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rubus Idaeus Fruit, Ethyl Vanillate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSodium 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
