What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Potassium Benzoate
Preservative
Tromethamine
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Sorbitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Myristic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Butylene Glycol, Cocamide Mipa, Potassium Benzoate, Tromethamine, Propanediol, Sorbitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Panthenol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycoproteins, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Decyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Allantoin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lactose
HumectantCellulose
Absorbent
Polyquaternium-7
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingPlatycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract
Antioxidant
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Lauric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Myristic Acid, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Beeswax, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Allantoin, Lactose, Cellulose, Polyquaternium-7, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Gold, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 19140, CI 15985
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
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 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLauric Acid is a saturated fatty acid naturally found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and even breast milk.
In cosmetics, it is an:
Lab studies have found that lauric acid is surprisingly good at killing acne-causing bacteria. However, these tests were done on bacteria in a petri dish and not on real skin, so we can't say for certain it works the same in a formulation on a real face.
The comedogenic rating of 4 comes from the 1972 rabbit ear model using undiluted ingredients. Comedogenicity is highly individual and one comedogenic ingredient cannot predict how a formula will behave on skin.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe and research has confirmed Malassezia can use it as a food source.
Learn more about Lauric AcidMyristic Acid, aka tetradecanoic acid, is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in coconut oil and palm oil.
In skincare, it is an:
Research indicates that this ingredient posts a low risk of irritation and sensitization.
Since myristic acid is a C14 fatty acid, it falls within the range that Malassezia can metabolize, and therefore not fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Myristic AcidStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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
