What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingArginine
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicLactic Acid
Buffering
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Dextran
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Arginine, Caffeine, Panthenol, Biotin, Lactic Acid, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Levulinic Acid, Dextran, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Isochrysis Galbana Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Bisabolol, Glycerin, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
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 ArginineCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
