What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
AbrasiveArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, CI 77891, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, C14-22 Alcohols, Niacinamide, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethiconol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, CI 77491, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tin Oxide, Arginine, Citric Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Metabisulfite
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingInulin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPropanediol
SolventEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingSilybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Lactic Acid
BufferingArginine
MaskingWater, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Propanediol, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Sodium Phytate, Lactic Acid, Arginine
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
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 ArginineCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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