What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Distearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Myristyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauryl Alcohol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Niacinamide, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArginine
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingSnail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Ethyl Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Arginine, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Palmitic Acid, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Adenosine, Water, Myristic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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