What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Water, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Betaine, Arginine, Sodium Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Adenosine, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Idaeus Extract
Skin ProtectingBee Venom
Astringent
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentOryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Vulgaris Extract
Skin ProtectingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Raphanus Sativus Sprout Powder
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-23
Cleansing
Sodium Iodide
AntimicrobialVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingStomach Extract
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Salmon Egg Extract
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Horse Fat
Skin Conditioning
Methylparaben
Preservative
Hizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Betaine
Humectant
Caviar Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Swiftlet Nest Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Citrus Junos Extract
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Apium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Nitrate
SoothingLactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningDiacetyl Boldine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingGlyoxal
Antimicrobial
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Milk Protein Extract
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Comb Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate/Hema Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cellulose Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, Beta-Glucan, Rubus Idaeus Extract, Bee Venom, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Carbomer, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Propolis Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Methyl Gluceth-20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Punica Granatum Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Chamomilla Vulgaris Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Raphanus Sativus Sprout Powder, Laureth-4, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cholesterol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-23, Sodium Iodide, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Stomach Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Salmon Egg Extract, Glycereth-26, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Horse Fat, Methylparaben, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Betaine, Caviar Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Parfum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Citrus Junos Extract, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Apium Graveolens Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Persea Gratissima Oil, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Sodium Nitrate, Lactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract, Yeast Extract, Diacetyl Boldine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Triethanolamine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Glyoxal, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Milk Protein Extract, Butylene Glycol, Comb Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate/Hema Crosspolymer
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.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
Arginine 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 is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itâs known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCarbomer 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 CarbomerDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, antiâinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDipropylene 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 âgoodâ 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is a plant-derived emulsifier whose only job is to keep the oily and watery parts of a formula blended so it doesn't separate into layers.
It's compatible with a wide-range of active ingredients and especially good at making emulsions survive heat/freeze cycles.
Typical use concentrations range from 2-3% and it works across a pH of 4.5-8.5.
This ingredient has been found safe to use in cosmetics and has a low irritation profile.
Because it's build on stearic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that falls within the range (C11-24) that Malassezia can feed on.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
