What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Water, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Propanediol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Ectoin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Carnitine
Cleansing
Serine
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Carnitine, Serine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Salicylic Acid, Arginine, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
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
Butylene 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 GlycolDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDipropylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate is made by combining ten units of glycerin with oleic acid.
According to a manufacturer, it is a low-irritation and hydrophilic (water loving) skin conditioning agent. It also improves the sensory feel and texture of a product.
Fungal acne note:
Since this ingredient is made from oleic acid, it might not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast survives by eating certain fats, including oleic acid.
However, it should be noted this oleic acid is chemically bound to a large polyglycerol molecule, so it might not trigger fungal acne for everyone.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 OleateWater. 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
