What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Guaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingVinyldimethicone
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xylose
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Guaiazulene, Propanediol, Glycerin, Isododecane, Niacinamide, C14-22 Alcohols, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Benzyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Vinyldimethicone, Allantoin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Oleate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Madecassoside, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Xylose, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glucose
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Ectoin, Xylitylglucoside, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glucose, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 AllantoinAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
