What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Pareth-12
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Snail Secretion Filtrate, C12-14 Pareth-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Cellulose Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycereth-26
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Elaeagnus Glabra Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
Abrasive
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Carbomer, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Isopentyldiol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Elaeagnus Glabra Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sucrose Palmitate, Ceramide NP, Hedera Helix Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Beta-Glucan, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.
It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.
Learn more about Glycereth-26Glycerin (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 extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 PropanediolSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractWater. 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
