What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantInositol
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrasodium EDTA
Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Saccharomyces Lysate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium PCA, Inositol, Polyacrylamide, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMaranta Arundinacea Root Powder
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingHoney
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSodium PCA
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phytate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Polysorbate 80, Honey, Ascorbic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Alcohol
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 AllantoinCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 PCATocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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