What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
Emollient
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Leucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingSodium Aspartate
BufferingThreonine
Alanine
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenylalanine
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Tyrosine
MaskingDisodium Inosinate
EmollientDisodium Guanylate
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Xylitol, Diisostearyl Malate, Dimethicone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Beeswax, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polysorbate 60, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Carnosine, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Histidine, Taurine, Lysine Hcl, Polyquaternium-61, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Leucine, Histidine Hcl, Serine, Valine, Sodium Aspartate, Threonine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenylalanine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Arginine, Proline, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Tyrosine, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCollagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Pseudonarcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Extract
Masking
Iris Versicolor Extract
EmollientFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mannose
HumectantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Bixa Orellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Simethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Stearate, Ozokerite, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Arginine, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Collagen Extract, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Narcissus Pseudonarcissus Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Iris Versicolor Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Propanediol, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Mannose, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Gluceth-20, Simethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Panthenol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 AllantoinArachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from the the arachidic acid found in peanut oil.
Despite having "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethanol.
This ingredient is a multitasker:
Just be sure to patch this ingredient if you have a peanut allergy (though this ingredient is highly processed and the allergenic proteins are typically removed).
Learn more about Arachidyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a plant-based surfactant and emulsifier. It helps oil and water based ingredients mix evenly to improve formula stability without adding a "greasy" feel.
Arginine 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 ArginineBehenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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.
Water. 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 GumXylitol 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 Xylitol
