What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract
AntioxidantSodium Phytate
Alcohol
AntimicrobialBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningUsnea Barbata Extract
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Betaine, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Beta-Glucan, Aspergillus Ferment, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCorn Gluten Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Corn Gluten Amino Acids, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Sodium Polyglutamate, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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.
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 preservatives
Beta-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-GlucanGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 PropanediolWater. 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