What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingSqualane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingEctoin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobionic Acid, Tromethamine, Squalane, Caprylyl Methicone, Carbomer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Oleate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Ectoin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, BHT, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide-2, Oligopeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Tripeptide-1
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
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 AcidCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Disodium 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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium 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 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