What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientRosa Multiflora Extract
AntioxidantChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Urens Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCarum Petroselinum Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Lauryl Glucoside, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Myristyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Multiflora Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Bioflavonoids, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Urtica Urens Leaf Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Carum Petroselinum Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract
Propolis Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropolis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Honey Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Beeswax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Allantoin, Arginine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
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 AllantoinArginine 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 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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.