What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAspartic Acid
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingResveratrol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantSerine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trehalose, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Arginine, Octyldodeceth-16, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Aspartic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Resveratrol, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Histidine, Serine, Alanine, Threonine, Proline, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Asiaticoside, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Beta-Glucan, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Panthenol, Trehalose, Betaine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Polysorbate 80, Arginine, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceArginine 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 ArginineButylene 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 CarbomerCentella 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 ExtractDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractPropanediol 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