What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Lecithin
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Allantoin, 2,3-Butanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Lecithin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Beta-Glucan, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Rh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Rh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Rh-Polypeptide-62
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Silica, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Mica, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Rh-Polypeptide-1, Rh-Polypeptide-3, Rh-Polypeptide-62, Beta-Glucan, Tranexamic Acid, Papain, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin, Diglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Boron Nitride, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glucose, Synthetic Beeswax, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 AllantoinBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
