What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantDioscorea Opposita Root
Skin ConditioningGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantBetaine
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Opposita Root, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Allantoin, Sucrose, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Potassium Laurate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Citric Acid, Trisodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera
MaskingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingOryza Sativa
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasiveMelia Azadirachta Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Sprout
HumectantSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vitis Vinifera, Cetearyl Glucoside, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Oryza Sativa, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Melia Azadirachta Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Sprout, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Asiaticoside, Cyanocobalamin, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitol, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol
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.
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 AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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