What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Protease
ExfoliatingEctoin
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Erythritol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Protease, Ectoin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSuccinic Acid
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPantolactone
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Water, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Glycoproteins, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, C12-14 Pareth-12, Succinic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Citrate, Pantolactone, Disodium EDTA
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
Butylene 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 GlycolCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDipropylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactonePanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water