What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicDiaminopyrimidine Oxide
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Palmitic Acid
EmollientPolyisobutene
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Stearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingIron Oxides
Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Biotin, Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Palmitic Acid, Polyisobutene, Pvp, Synthetic Beeswax, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Dimethicone, Isostearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 60, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDisodium EDTA
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Water
MaskingPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSmilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLecithin
EmollientAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDextran
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialOriganum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Mirifica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRuscus Aculeatus Root Extract
AstringentPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBerberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lavandula Angustifolia Water, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lecithin, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Dextran, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Biotin, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Pueraria Mirifica Root Extract, Panthenol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Phytosterols, Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citric Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Hexapeptide-11
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
Biotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinButylene 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 GlycolCopper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a skin repairing ingredient known for its ability to boost collagen, improve firmness, and support skin regeneration.
It is a complex made up of a naturally occurring peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) and copper, an essential trace element.
While studying wound healing, researchers noticed GHK-Cu stimulated hair follicle enlargement and growth by keeping hair in its active growth phase longer. This has made it a promising ingredient for hair regrowth treatments.
Some people have reported increased facial hair. While GHK-Cu can make your hair follicles bigger, it usually doesn’t turn soft, barely-visible facial hairs into thick, dark ones.
Anecdotal reports suggest that overusing copper peptides might lead to premature aging due to excess free copper or enzyme imbalances. This claim isn’t backed by large-scale studies.
Unfortunately, there are limited human studies for this ingredient. While early results are promising, many studies are either small, in-vitro, or not rigorously controlled.
For example, there is a 1998 study that explored the effects of copper tripeptide, vitamin C, tretinoin, and melatonin on skin repair and collagen synthesis.
After one month, increased procollagen production was seen in 7 out of 10 participants using copper tripeptide (more than those using vitamin C, melatonin, or tretinoin.
While the study was exploratory, it offers early evidence that copper tripeptide may support collagen production. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed to confirm its potential and understand individual responses.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Copper Tripeptide-1Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 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 PanthenolPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser.
On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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