What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Bambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, C14-22 Alcohols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Glucose, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Milk Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitic Acid, Panthenol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Arginine, Carbomer, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Milk Extract, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arachidic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Sucrose Stearate, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Phytosterols, Squalane, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide Ng, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Glycosphingolipids, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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 ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
