What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLactic Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingInositol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingPropanediol
Solvent
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTartaric Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Quaternium-73
Water, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Glycolic Acid, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Salicylic Acid, Cellulose Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Inositol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Dipeptide-15, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Gluconolactone, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Sucrose, Urea, Sodium Citrate, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Quaternium-73
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Abronia Villosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilk Amino Acids
HumectantGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Menthol
Masking
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
PEG-35 Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Secale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract
MaskingHibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract
Masking
Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Nonoxynol-14
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Butylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Abronia Villosa Leaf Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Menthol, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Menthyl Lactate, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Nonoxynol-14, Propylene Glycol, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
Butylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It can help reduce irritation and soothe the skin.
Many active components found in centella asiatica, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Research shows centella asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.
The combination of all these properties makes centella asiatica leaf extract effective at soothing the skin.
Other components of centella asiatica leaf extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.
This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica Leaf ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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
