What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Salvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, Trehalose, Panthenol, Polysorbate 80, Allantoin, Arginine, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBentonite
Absorbent
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Manicouagan Clay
AbsorbentCamellia Sinensis Leaf
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Houttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rosa Rugosa Leaf Extract
HumectantMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyvinyl Alcohol
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, CI 77891, Bentonite, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Silica, Manicouagan Clay, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosa Rugosa Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Allantoin, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polyvinyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, 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
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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractWater. 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
