What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantOctanediol
Ascorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Bark Extract
AntimicrobialMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Oppositifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientHypochlorous Acid
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propanediol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopherol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Octanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Gluconate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Yeast Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cyanocobalamin, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Oppositifolia Root Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Hypochlorous Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPvp
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract
MaskingSerine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Glycine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlutamic Acid
HumectantLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Arginine
MaskingCallicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientProline
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Pvp, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-9, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract, Serine, Alanine, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Glycine, Xanthan Gum, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Proline
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
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 AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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