What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Coceth-7
EmulsifyingPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Carbomer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Panthenol, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Smilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Swertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Acorus Gramineus Extract
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Biotin, Pentylene Glycol, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Madecassoside, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Acorus Gramineus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aspergillus Ferment
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
Carbomer 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 CarbomerGlycerin (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 a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePanthenol 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 PanthenolPEG-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 OilWater. 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
