What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientGlycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycine
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oligopeptide-2, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Glycoproteins, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc Chloride, Phytic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Alanine
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHistidine
Humectant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Cloprostenate
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
PCA
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Threonine
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingTussilago Farfara Leaf Extract
AstringentValine
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Panthenol, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Alanine, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Histidine, Honey Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isoleucine, Isopropyl Cloprostenate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, PCA, Phenylalanine, Polysorbate 20, Proline, Propylene Glycol, Serine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Threonine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Tussilago Farfara Leaf Extract, Valine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite
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 ArginineThis ingredient is calcium salt of gluconic acid. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if 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.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Water. 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
