What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polygamma-Glutamate
Emulsion StabilisingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventFructan
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantArginine
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantGlycolic Acid
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Polygamma-Glutamate, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Fructan, Allantoin, Trehalose, Arginine, Dextrin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, CI 77220, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientArginine
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPimpinella Anisum Extract
Octyldodecanol
EmollientVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Rugosa Flower Water
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPearl Extract
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-26, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 60, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Stearate, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Trehalose, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Pimpinella Anisum Extract, Octyldodecanol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Rugosa Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Pearl Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 LecithinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilRosa Damascena Flower Water is the water-based byproduct of steam-distilling damask rose petals. It has skin conditioning, masking, and skin protecting properties.
Research shows that Rosa damascena is rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds like gallic acid that contribute to its antioxidant activity.
In vitro studies have shown that Rosa damascena can scavenge free radicals and reduce melanin overproduction. Research has also found this extract offers some degree of UV absorption but this should not replace your sunscreen.
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower WaterSodium 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 HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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