What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingArginine
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAhnfeltia Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingRhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingUrea
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Ethoxydiglycol, Parfum, Caffeine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Menthol, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Arginine, Glycerin, Aspartic Acid, PCA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Glycine, Alanine, Citric Acid, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Serine, Valine, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Potassium Sorbate, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
BufferingGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlycine
BufferingLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingDextran
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingRhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Gluconolactone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, T-Butyl Alcohol, Dextran, Limonene, Linalool, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Zinc Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinArginine 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 ArginineCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if 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.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6We don't have a description for Rhizobian Gum yet.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideT-Butyl Alcohol it is most commonly used as a solvent.
At room temperature, T-Butyl Alcohol melts and has a similar smell to camphor.
This ingredient is derived from isobutane. It is the simplest form of a tertiary alcohol. Due to its chemical structure, it is more resistant to oxidation.
Some sources online claim T-Butyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. However, it is not considered one due to its chemical structure.
Learn more about T-Butyl AlcoholWater. 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