What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Polysorbate 80, Panthenol, Trehalose, Betaine, Carbomer, Arginine, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Wheat Amino Acids, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Beta-Glucan, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientZeolite
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPisum Sativum Phytoplacenta Extract
AntimicrobialAspartic Acid
MaskingHydrolyzed Rye Phytoplacenta Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHistidine
HumectantCalcium Chloride
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Trehalose, Betaine, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Arginine, Carbomer, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Dipropylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Canola Oil, Zeolite, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Tocopherol, Pisum Sativum Phytoplacenta Extract, Aspartic Acid, Hydrolyzed Rye Phytoplacenta Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Threonine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Histidine, Calcium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Chloride, Parfum
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 ArginineBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium 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 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum