What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPaeonia Lactiflora Bark/Sap Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantMentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantC12-14 Alketh-12
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Glycerin, Paeonia Lactiflora Bark/Sap Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, C12-14 Alketh-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Butylene 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 ExtractCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPDisodium 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene 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 GlycolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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 Water