What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolyvinyl Alcohol
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC12-14 Pareth-12
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingParfum
MaskingPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSucrose
HumectantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPearl Extract
AntioxidantAmethyst Powder
AbrasiveTourmaline
Diamond Powder
AbrasiveTopaz
AbrasiveRuby Powder
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Mica, CI 77891, Xanthan Gum, C12-14 Pareth-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Parfum, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, CI 19140, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 42090, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Pearl Extract, Amethyst Powder, Tourmaline, Diamond Powder, Topaz, Ruby Powder
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin 20%
AbrasiveHouttuynia Cordata Extract 10.1%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSoluble Collagen
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCalamine
AbsorbentHouttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantProtease
ExfoliatingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningQuercetin
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin 20%, Houttuynia Cordata Extract 10.1%, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bentonite, Hexylene Glycol, Zea Mays Starch, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Soluble Collagen, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Calamine, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Allantoin, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Fructooligosaccharides, Protease, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Quercetin, Palmitoyl Proline, Tripeptide-5, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, CI 77492
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
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 AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDipropylene 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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