What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantGlutamic Acid
HumectantLeucine
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingValine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantUrea
BufferingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
AbrasiveMagnesium Chloride
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingMagnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningCitrulline
Skin ConditioningUric Acid
BufferingTaurine
BufferingFormic Acid
PreservativeAmmonia
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Erythritol, Xylitol, Trehalose, Arginine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Glyceryl Glucoside, Propanediol, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Glucose, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cysteine, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamine, Alanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine, Lysine, Glycine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Methionine, Proline, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Asparagine, Tyrosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Magnesium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sucrose, Urea, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Ornithine, Sea Salt, Magnesium Chloride, Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine Hcl, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Citrulline, Uric Acid, Taurine, Formic Acid, Ammonia
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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