What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Succinic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-20
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Amodimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Succinic Acid, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Chlorphenesin, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycereth-20, Sorbitan Olivate, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Tocopheryl Acetate, Amodimethicone, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 60, Maltodextrin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta-Glucan, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Parfum
Masking
Polyisobutene
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Betaine, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Jojoba Esters, Behenyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polyacrylate-13, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Parfum, Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Tin Oxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Trideceth-9, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 17200
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
