What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
AstringentGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Madecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingWater, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Gluconolactone, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Water
AstringentAmylopectin
Dimethicone
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSalicylic Acid
MaskingChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Salix Alba Bark Water, Amylopectin, Dimethicone, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Xylitol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Myristyl Glucoside, Arginine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Citric Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Tromethamine, Glycolipids, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
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 AllantoinAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerAsiatic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Studies show Asiatic Acid is able to block the pathway for skin inflammation receptors, helping to soothe skin.
As an antioxidant, asiatic acid helps protect our skin against damaging environmental factors.
Learn more about Asiatic AcidAsiaticoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It's the reason centella-based products have a strong reputation for repairing and calming skin, along with its sibling compound Madecassoside.
Research from 2016-2025 supports its role in:
You'll usually find this in concentrations between 0.2-5%.
Learn more about AsiaticosideButylene 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 GlycerinMadecassic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
It is a triterpenoid, meaning it naturally acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect your skin against damage from environmental factors such as pollution and UV.
Studies show Madecassic Acid helps soothe the skin due to its ability to block inflammation pathways.
Learn more about Madecassic AcidMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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