What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Squalene
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Olive Oil Decyl Esters
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Squalene, Allantoin, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Olive Oil Decyl Esters, Maltodextrin, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Carbomer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Caramel, Alcohol, Triethanolamine
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Amelanchier Alnifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Calcium Pantothenate
Trehalose
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingCreatine
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Histidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Serine
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningPCA
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Threonine
Valine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Panthenol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Amelanchier Alnifolia Fruit Extract, Urea, Calcium Pantothenate, Trehalose, Taurine, Creatine, Diglycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Daucus Carota Sativa Juice, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Lysine Hcl, Alanine, Arginine, Histidine Hcl, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phenoxyethanol, Serine, Allantoin, Proline, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lysine, PCA, Sorbitol, Glutamic Acid, Threonine, Valine, Leucine, Glycine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBiosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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
