What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Cleansing
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Alcohol Denat., Cetearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract, Octyldodecanol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Cetearyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Zinc PCA, Allantoin, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Arginine, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pantolactone, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
Antioxidant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTartaric Acid
Buffering
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Papain
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Algin
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sorbitan Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triheptanoin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica, Squalane, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, C15-19 Alkane, Glycolic Acid, Bisabolol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Arginine, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Tartaric Acid, Polyglycerin-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Glucose, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Acer Saccharum Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Papain, 1,2-Hexanediol, Algin, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ArginineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
