What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Arginine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Glucose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Spirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, C14-22 Alcohols, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Sorbitan Isostearate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Maltodextrin, Beta-Glucan, Bakuchiol, Glucose, Panthenol, Squalane, Tocopherol, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Citronellol, Geraniol
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Propolis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Honey Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Betaine, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Carbomer, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beeswax
Reviews
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
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 ArginineButylene 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
