What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingEthyl Menthane Carboxamide
TonicAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Carbomer, Arginine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Adenosine, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Dextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caramel, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Menthyl Lactate, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantEthyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether
SolventEthyl Perfluorobutyl Ether
SolventSapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Betaine
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPropanediol
SolventLecithin
EmollientPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Viridiflora Leaf Oil
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningIris Ensata Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Officinalis Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingCalcium Carbonate
AbrasiveGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Ethyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Ethyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Acrylates Copolymer, Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Tromethamine, Dimethicone, Allantoin, Laureth-7, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Butylene Glycol, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caffeine, Alcohol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Propanediol, Lecithin, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Melaleuca Viridiflora Leaf Oil, Butyl Avocadate, Iris Ensata Extract, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Asparagus Officinalis Stem Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Calcium Carbonate, Gluconolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Propyl Gallate
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAllantoin 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 AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer is made up of glycerin and polyacrylic acid. It helps hydrate your skin as a humectant.
This ingredient forms a hydrogel that delivers moisturizing, water-based ingredients to the skin. It is also used to thicken a product and to give it a smooth texture.
Acrylic acid itself is toxic, but the polymer form (this ingredient) is too large to penetrate skin, making it non-toxic.
Learn more about Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid CopolymerHydrogenated 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 LecithinWater. 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