What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zingiber Officinale Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingNeofinetia Falcata Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Panthenol, Betaine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Neofinetia Falcata Callus Culture Extract, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Adenosine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Trehalose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCalcium Pantothenate
Urea
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMagnesium Lactate
BufferingPotassium Lactate
BufferingPapain
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Calendula Officinalis Flower
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCyanocobalamin
Skin Conditioning7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Bacillus
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Tromethamine, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Calcium Pantothenate, Urea, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium Lactate, Potassium Lactate, Papain, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Biotin, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Proline, Alanine, Serine, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Citric Acid, Cyanocobalamin, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolDisodium 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 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about Tromethamine