What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantOleyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-75 Lanolin
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCentella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles
Ethylhexyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Ceramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Carbomer, Sodium Dna, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, PEG-75 Lanolin, Stearic Acid, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles, Ethylhexyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Adenosine, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cholesterol, Sodium Chloride, Trehalose, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantErythritol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantTetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Hydrolyzed Algae Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater, PEG-8, Erythritol, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Octyldodecanol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bioflavonoids, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Hexyldecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
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.
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 preservatives
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 ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCeramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
Learn more about Ceramide APCeramide AS is formally known as Ceramides 4 and 5.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1.
It is naturally found in skin and part of the intercellular "mortar" holding everything together in your outermost layer.
EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
What makes Ceramide EOP special is its ultra-long fatty acid chain; this unique structure allows it to bridge the lipid layers in your skin barrier to prevent water loss (something no other ceramide can do).
Low levels of Ceramide EOP have been found in people with eczema and psoriasis.
Using it together with other ceramides, cholesterol, and linoleic acid have been shown to meaningfully improve hydration and reduce water loss.
In one clinical study, a regimen using Ceramide EOP, NP, and AP led to significant symptom improvements in patients with eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin in just 4 weeks.
You'll usually see concentrations between 0.1-0.5% in formulations. Overall, this is a well-tolerated and safe ingredient for cosmetic use.
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCeramide NS is formally known as Ceramide 2. It is one of the major ceramides in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) plays a role in forming a protective barrier.
Due to its structure, skin lipids can be packed tightly and in turn, this strengthens the barrier and reduces water loss.
Studies show conditions like atopic dermatitis can worsen when ceramide NS levels are low.
Learn more about Ceramide NsDisodium 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 EDTAHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWater. 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