What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingSodium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Glucose
Humectant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Allantoin, Ethoxydiglycol, Ferulic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Triethanolamine, Chlorphenesin, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Sodium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Glucose, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beeswax, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Fraxinus Rhynchophylla Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
PEG-45 Palm Kernel Glycerides
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Centella Asiatica Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Fraxinus Rhynchophylla Leaf Extract, PEG-45 Palm Kernel Glycerides, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Propanediol, Allantoin, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol
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
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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinTocopheryl 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 AcetateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
