What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingTaraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLactococcus Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBifida Ferment Lysate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Panthenol, Adenosine, Arginine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Bacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactococcus Ferment Extract, Lactococcus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Dextrin, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantPropanediol
SolventIsopentyldiol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarrageenan
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Dextrin
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantYeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Carrageenan, Panthenol, Potassium Chloride, Dextrin, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Yeast Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin
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
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 GlycolDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, antiâinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenonePanthenol 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 PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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 Gum