What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPolycitronellol Acetate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantUndecane
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTridecane
PerfumingBisabolol
AntioxidantLecithin
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Madecassoside
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPhragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingIsostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPropylene Glycol Alginate
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polycitronellol Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Undecane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Tridecane, Bisabolol, Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Maltodextrin, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Madecassoside, Disodium EDTA, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Retinol, Dimethiconol, Carbomer, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Tocopherol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Propylene Glycol Alginate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantDaucus Carota Sativa Extract
PerfumingVaccinium Myrtillus Bud Extract
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTetrasodium EDTA
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycolic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Bud Extract, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Chlorphenesin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 42090
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
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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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