What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningWater, 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 ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Water
MaskingSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningWater, Methylpropanediol, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Water, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice
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
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 AllantoinDipotassium 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 GlycyrrhizateDisodium 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 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 GluconolactoneHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPanthenol 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 PanthenolWater. 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