What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Glycereth-26, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Arginine, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Propylene Glycol, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Allantoin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, CI 19140, CI 77007
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingSea Water
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
CI 77004
Cosmetic ColorantMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract, Water, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Xylitol, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Betaine, Pvp, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Trideceth-10, Sea Water, Panthenol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitylglucoside, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Allantoin, CI 77004, Mineral Salts
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 GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidWater. 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
