What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentNephelium Lappaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Menthol
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dextran
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Caffeine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Nephelium Lappaceum Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Menthol, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Dextran, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Vinegar
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-68
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Dextran
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingCellulose
Absorbent
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentZingiber Officinale Water
MaskingSpathodea Campanulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Vinegar, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Polyquaternium-68, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Dextran, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetate, Cellulose, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Water, Spathodea Campanulata Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid
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
This biometic peptide is designed to support hair growth.
According to a manufacturer, it stimulates hair growth by:
The manufacturer has found combining this ingredient with red clover extract (Capixyl) boosted benefits. Not only does it enforce the scalp's extracellular matrix, it also inhibits the enzyme that creates DHT, a hormone that leads to hair loss.
While this ingredient is promising, more research is still needed to confirm its full effectiveness.
Learn more about Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3Butylene 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 GlycolDextran is a sugar (polysaccharide) with skin hydrating properties.
Fun fact: Louis Pasteur first discovered this ingredient as a microbial product in wine.
Glycerin (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 MaltodextrinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis extract comes from the flower more commonly known as red clover.
Water. 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
