What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate 10%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingOenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningStreptococcus Oralis
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate 10%, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Dextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Inulin, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose, Fructose, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Adenosine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus Oralis, Arginine, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Stearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Cellulose Gum, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingMadecassoside
AntioxidantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCalamine
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Trehalose, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylene Brassylate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Allantoin, Dextrin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Madecassoside, Raspberry Ketone, Linalyl Acetate, Gluconolactone, Calamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinDipropylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum