What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningCutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Xylitol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
4-Terpineol
Masking
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Water, Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Anhydroxylitol, Lecithin, Xylitol, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Acacia Macrostachya Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Glucose, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, 4-Terpineol, Madecassoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Sea Water
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialGlucose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Calcium Chloride
AstringentMagnesium Sulfate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Sea Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Xylitol, Hedera Helix Extract, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Phytate, Anhydroxylitol, Tocopherol, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Linalool
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
This ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolButylene 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside
