What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
C12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Menthol
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Extract
Antioxidant
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., C12-13 Pareth-9, Parfum, Hexylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Glycine, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Leucine, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sorbitol
Humectant
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingMaltitol
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventLimonene
Perfuming
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Menthol
Masking
Soyamidopropylamine Oxide
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Polyquaternium-22
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Thuja Orientalis Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Glycine Max Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Extract
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentCyclodextrin
AbsorbentRosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlycine Max Oil
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Selaginella Tamariscina Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Flower Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Canola Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sorbitol, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Maltitol, Coco-Glucoside, Caffeine, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Limonene, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Salicylate, Citric Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Menthol, Soyamidopropylamine Oxide, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Citrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trihydroxystearin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyquaternium-22, Sodium Metaphosphate, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Thuja Orientalis Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Cell Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Glycine Max Polypeptide, Panax Ginseng Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Dextrin, Cyclodextrin, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glycine Max Oil, Disodium EDTA, Selaginella Tamariscina Extract, Tocopherol, Arginine, Ceramide NP, Rosa Canina Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Canola Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 ArginineDisodium 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 EDTAMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
