What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate-13
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Polyisobutene
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isopropyl Isostearate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Astaxanthin, Potassium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Carbomer, Arginine, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Panthenol, Polysorbate 60, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Palmitic Acid, C14-22 Alcohols, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Adenosine, Polyacrylate-13, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, CI 42090, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Glycine
Buffering
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Tannic Acid
AstringentLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Threonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Valine
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Palmitic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactococcus Ferment, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Collagen, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycine, Propolis Extract, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Citric Acid, Tannic Acid, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Potassium Sorbate, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Collagen Extract
Reviews
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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources.
In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
Interestingly, topically applied Palmitic Acid can be elongated into longer chain fatty acids and ceramides. A 2019 study found low levels of Palmitic Acid lead to slower development of cells, suggesting it plays a role in keeping your skin's renewal process on track.
The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) panel determined it safe as used in cosmetics at concentrations up to 13%. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing in clinical studies.
The culprit behind fungal acne, the Malassezia yeast, feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between C11-C24. Palmitic Acid, at C16, falls right into that sweet spot.
In vitro studies have shown that Palmitic Acid is one of the fatty acids that induce rapid Malassezia growth in lab settings.
It's worth noting that what feeds yeast in a lab doesn't necessarily feed it on your face since formulation and your skin's chemistry play a bigger role.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidWater. 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
