What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhizic Acid
HumectantLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil
Masking
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Madecassoside, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Erythritol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Water, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Erythritol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Arginine, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Betaine, Citric Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Maltodextrin, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Pantolactone, Disodium EDTA
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 AllantoinArginine 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 ArginineBetaine Salicylate is considered a salicylic acid alternative.
Limited studies exist proving this ingredient to be a complete alternative to salicylic acid. Based on existing research, this ingredient does not penetrate as deeply and is not shown to be as effective.
However, this makes it a great choice for those with sensitive skin or need gentle BHA action.
This ingredient is created using betaine and salicylic acid.
This ingredient is oil-soluble and is most effective at a pH range of 3.8-4.2.
Learn more about Betaine SalicylateGlycerin (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 PanthenolPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser.
On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
