What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingVolcanic Ash
Abrasive
Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentAvena Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isopropyl Jojobate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Avena Sativa Seed Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Rubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Jojobate, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Lecithin, Decyl Glucoside, Silica, Bisabolol, Lauryl Glucoside, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Octyldodecanol, Xanthan Gum, CI 77891, Mica, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ArginineCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 EthylhexylglycerinSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 Water
