What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Arachidonate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
EDTA
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Vegetable Oil, Glycerin, Adenosine, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, Retinol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glycine Soja Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Bakuchiol, Caffeine, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, BHT, Disodium EDTA, EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingRhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingLysine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Threonine
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Lysine, Histidine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Methionine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Cysteine, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate
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 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable.
Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefits. One study found 5% of SAP lotion to be an effective ingredient for treating acne vulgaris. This is because research shows that SAP may help control acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and slowing the oxidation of skin oils caused by UV exposure.
In addition to acne, vitamin C is important for skin structure. Lab studies suggest SAP may support collagen production in skin cells, making it a great ingredient in anti-aging routines.
Vitamin C has many benefits: it helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, fade the appearance of dark spots, and brighten the skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
