What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingXylitol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingDiglycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveThuja Orientalis Extract
AntimicrobialJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarum Petroselinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCollagen
MoisturisingArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Xylitol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Octyldodeceth-16, Diglycerin, Allantoin, Cellulose Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Gluconate, Dipropylene Glycol, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Carum Petroselinum Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Collagen, Artemisia Annua Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Sodium Dna, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Sucrose Stearate, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid
Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantBetaine
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingGlucose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Allantoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Betaine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Ceramide NP, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cellulose Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citric Acid, Glucose, Xanthan Gum
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.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
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 AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumCitric 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 AcidDipropylene 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 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinWater. 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