What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGalactoarabinan
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantPolyacrylate-13
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantArginine
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingGlucose
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPolyisobutene
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Galactoarabinan, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Polyacrylate-13, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium PCA, Arginine, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Plankton Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glucose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethicone, Polyisobutene, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Lactate, Limonene, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, CI 19140, CI 42090
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveKaolin
AbrasiveSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Powder
Galactoarabinan
Arginine
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCupressus Sempervirens Oil
MaskingCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingZea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Kaolin, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Water, Oryza Sativa Powder, Galactoarabinan, Arginine, Maltodextrin, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Allantoin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene
Alternatives
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 ArginineThis ingredient is also known as arabinogalactan. It is a polysaccharide extracted from North American larch trees. It is a film-forming agent that helps enhance skin hydration and improves the texture of products.
Once applied, galactoarabinan forms a lightweight and breathable film on the skin. This helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) without adding a greasy finish.
It is also used to boost the efficacy of exfoliating actives like AHAs by improving skin feel and reducing irritation potential.
Studies show this ingredient supports hydration through two actions:
1) Limiting water evaporation
2) Enhancing the spreadability of emulsion products to disperse humectants and emollients across the skin's surface
Additionally, galactoarabinan can improve makeup wear and reduce "tightness" after cleansing.
Learn more about GalactoarabinanLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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