What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingDistearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Parfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeZinc PCA
HumectantCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingTetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, C15-19 Alkane, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citric Acid, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Piroctone Olamine, Zinc PCA, Cocos Nucifera Water, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Mannitol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Lactic Acid, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Glycine, Alanine, Potassium Sorbate, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal
Salvia Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantPolyquaternium-55
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantBacillus Lysate
Skin ProtectingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Seed Oil
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingCananga Odorata Leaf Oil
MaskingDaucus Carota Fruit Oil
PerfumingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Leaf Oil
PerfumingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingVanillin
MaskingCitrus Sinensis Peel Extract
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPropoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
C12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialC10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Bromide
AntimicrobialIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polyquaternium-55, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Bacillus Lysate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hexapeptide-11, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Leaf Oil, Daucus Carota Fruit Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Citrus Aurantium Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Vanillin, Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, C12-13 Pareth-3, C12-13 Pareth-23, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Bromide, Isopropyl Palmitate, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Beta-Caryophyllene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body. Our skin uses alanine to build collagen, elastin, and keratin.
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 ArginineAspartic Acid is an amino acid that our bodies produce naturally. It is an antioxidant.
Our body uses Aspartic Acid to help build collagen and elastin. It also plays a role in hydrating skin.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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.
This ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideHistidine is a semi-essential amino acid used by our bodies to create protein. It has humectant and skin conditioning properties.
Our bodies use histidine to create filaggrin - filaggrin is a structural protein that the skin uses in maintaining skin barrier.
One study found histidine and carnosine to be a dynamic duo for your skin:
Oral histidine has also been found to help with filaggrin-deficit skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis.
Why is it considered a semi-essential amino acid? This is because adults are able to create it but children must get it from their diet.
Learn more about HistidineIsoleucine is an amino acid that helps reinforce our skin barrier. This amino acid plays a role in creating protein for the body.
Fun fact: Isoleucine is found in meat, fish, dairy, legumes, and nuts.
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 ParfumPCA is derived from amino acids and is naturally found in our skin's barrier.
As a humectant, PCA helps draw and hold moisture to the skin. Studies show it is effective at helping the skin stay hydrated long-term.
Phenylalanine is an amino acid. It is a skin soothing and hydrating ingredient. Amino acids play a crucial role in wound healing and skin hydration.
This ingredient is also used to help even out skin tone due to its ability to disrupt the melanin production process.
Two structures of phenylalanine exist: L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is essential, this means our bodies cannot produce it naturally and we must get it from foods. Our bodies convert D-phenylalanine to neurotransmitters, and D-phenylalanine is found in our bodies naturally.
Some foods that contain L-phenylalanine include eggs, soybeans, beef, milk.
Learn more about PhenylalaninePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateProline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning your body can make it on its own. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
It makes up about 23% of the collagen molecule (collagen is the protein responsible for keeping your skin firm) and is involved in your skin's natural hyaluronic acid production. When applied topically, proline can penetrate the skin fairly well due to its small molecular size.
Reviews of this ingredient have found it to be neither a dermal irritant nor a sensitizer.
Fun fact: Proline can be found in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
Learn more about ProlineSerine is a non-essential amino acid (your body makes it on its own!). It is a major player in 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.
Serine is one of your NMF's most abundant components that works as a skin-identical humectant. Its hydroxyl group grabs onto water molecules to boost hydration without any heaviness or occlusion.
Research on a hydrogel with serine confirmed this serine got delivered to your stratum corneum and demonstrated enhanced skin moisturization.
Interestingly serine also helps your skin produce filaggrin, a protein that keeps your skin barrier strong and used to create collagen.
Learn more about SerineSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAThreonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.
Our skin uses threonine for creating collagen and elastin. Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.
Valine is an essential amino acid. It is used by our bodies for tissue repair and muscle growth.
An essential amino acid is one in which our bodies cannot naturally produce so we must get them through diet. Foods such as eggs, dairy, red meat, and fish contain valine.
This ingredient can either be derived from an animal product or be synthetically created.
Learn more about Valine