What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingMethylpropanediol
SolventVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide
SmoothingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Methionine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantAsparagine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlutamine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamide Mea, Methylpropanediol, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Leucine, Tryptophan, Lysine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Methionine, Histidine, Asparagine, Alanine, Proline, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Valine, Phenylalanine, Aspartic Acid, Tyrosine, Serine, Cystine, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Parfum
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingLauryl Betaine
CleansingPropanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingErythritol
HumectantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingCupressus Sempervirens Oil
MaskingAbies Sibirica Oil
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingStyrax Benzoin Resin Extract
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Acetate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Water, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Lauryl Betaine, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Erythritol, Lauryl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Arginine, Biotin, Panthenol, Caffeine, Polyquaternium-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Butylene Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Niacinamide, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Limonene, Glycerin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Malt Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol
Reviews
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 ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol 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 PanthenolSalicylic 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, itβs 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 AcidWater. 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 WaterZingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.
Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.
The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:
This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.
Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root Extract