What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientAzelaic Acid
BufferingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingC18-20 Glycol Isostearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingBisabolol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Azelaic Acid, Sorbitan Laurate, C18-20 Glycol Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Arginine, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentTapioca Starch
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Tapioca Starch, Allantoin, Betaine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dextrin, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
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 ArginineAzelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidButylene 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 GlycolSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer and used to help stabilize other ingredients.
Emulsion stabilizers hold ingredients together, helping to create an even texture throughout the product.
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate can also be used to thicken the texture.
Learn more about Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateWater. 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