What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Rosa Centifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Rosa Meichibon/Delgramaue Callus
EmollientSafflower Glucoside
Threonine
Sodium Citrate
BufferingArginine
Masking
Serine
Masking
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane
SurfactantAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Polysorbate 21
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Rosa Centifolia Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Meichibon/Delgramaue Callus, Safflower Glucoside, Threonine, Sodium Citrate, Arginine, Serine, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Proline, Alanine, Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Biotin, Glutamic Acid, Polysorbate 21, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Creatine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Trifolium Pratense Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Nadh
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysilicone-11, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Creatine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Galactoarabinan, Trifolium Pratense Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Cholesterol, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Faex Extract, Disodium Nadh, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Adenosine Phosphate, Arginine, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate
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 ArginineGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
