What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Betaine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Carbomer, Arginine, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Glycosphingolipids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCarrageenan
Gellan Gum
Betaine
HumectantAlgin
MaskingMannan
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPhragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carrageenan, Gellan Gum, Betaine, Algin, Mannan, Ceramide NP, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Phragmites Communis Extract, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
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 ArginineBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs 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 GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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