What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No 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 ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventDisodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBerberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSmilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMadecassoside
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingForsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantAcorus Gramineus Extract
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Biotin, Pentylene Glycol, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Madecassoside, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Acorus Gramineus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aspergillus Ferment
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-1Disodium 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractPanthenol 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 PanthenolThis plant derived ingredient has skin conditioning and antioxidant properties.
You may see his ingredient in hair and scalp products because some research suggests it may support hair growth. However, strong human clinical evidence is limited.
Tromethamine 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