What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingUrea
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Glycolate
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGlycerin
HumectantMentha Piperita Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Urea, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Glycolate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactic Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glycerin, Mentha Piperita Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 184
EmulsifyingPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventWater, Poloxamer 184, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol
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 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from caprylic and capric acids. It is an emulsifier with emollient properties.
According to the manufacturer, it is hydrophilic and soluble in aqueous solutions (water). They also state this ingredient is stable in a medium pH range (~5 - 8).
As an emulsifier, it helps make oils and oil-soluble ingredients more soluble in water.
Learn more about PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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