What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingLauramide DEA
Cocamide DEA
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Tetradecene
EmollientHexadecene
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-7
Pentasodium Pentetate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientNardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauramide DEA, Cocamide DEA, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-10, Tetradecene, Hexadecene, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Pentasodium Pentetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Hexapeptide-9, Leucine, Valine, Isoleucine, Taurine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Glutamine, Lysine, Methionine, Serine, Cystine, Asparagine, Alanine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine, Parfum, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-10
Menthol
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPentasodium Pentetate
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingNardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingHistidine
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingTryptophan
MaskingThreonine
Tyrosine
MaskingTaurine
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingCystine
MaskingMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningGlutamine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyquaternium-10, Menthol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Pentasodium Pentetate, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Histidine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Tyrosine, Taurine, Ornithine, Arginine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Aspartic Acid, Asparagine, Cystine, Mentha Viridis Extract, Serine, Valine, Methionine, Leucine, Lysine, Glutamine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
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
Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body. Our skin uses alanine to build collagen, elastin, and keratin.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilArginine 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 ArginineAsparagine is one building block of all proteins in our body. It is an antioxidant and may help with anti-aging.
Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage our skin cells.
Aspartic Acid is an amino acid that our bodies produce naturally. It is an antioxidant.
Our body uses Aspartic Acid to help build collagen and elastin. It also plays a role in hydrating skin.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolWe don't have a description for Cystine yet.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.
In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).
An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.
Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.
Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.
Learn more about Glutamic AcidGlutamine is an amino acid (a small building block your body uses to make proteins). It has skin conditioning properties and helps skin feel comfortable.
Think of glutamine as a quiet support player in your skincare. Your skin’s outer layer (stratum corneum) needs two things to stay healthy: a strong barrier and enough moisture.
Part of what helps hold water in the skin is something called Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF). These include amino acids or the same building blocks that make up proteins in your body.
Since glutamine is an amino acid, it falls into the “barrier-friendly, skin-conditioning” category. That’s why you’ll usually find it in hydrating and soothing formulas.
There's some experimental evidence that glutamine can calm inflammation-related skin reactions when applied topically in a contact-dermatitis model. However, it's not the same as a proven eczema fix.
Learn more about GlutamineGlycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if 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.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
Histidine is a semi-essential amino acid used by our bodies to create protein. It has humectant and skin conditioning properties.
Our bodies use histidine to create filaggrin - filaggrin is a structural protein that the skin uses in maintaining skin barrier.
One study found histidine and carnosine to be a dynamic duo for your skin:
Oral histidine has also been found to help with filaggrin-deficit skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis.
Why is it considered a semi-essential amino acid? This is because adults are able to create it but children must get it from their diet.
Learn more about HistidineIsoleucine is an amino acid that helps reinforce our skin barrier. This amino acid plays a role in creating protein for the body.
Fun fact: Isoleucine is found in meat, fish, dairy, legumes, and nuts.
We don't have a description for Leucine yet.
Lysine is an essential amino acid (your body cannot make it on its own). It has skin conditioning properties and one of the key players in collagen synthesis.
When your body creates collagen, lysine is basically the glue that holds everything together. It helps collagen fibers lock into each other and stay strong, with vitamin C being its trusty sidekick. Without enough lysine, this glue gets flimsy and less firm, resulting in less bouncy skin.
In skincare, lysine is mostly there to help keep your skin moisturized. It carries water through your skin's layers so everything stays plump.
So will putting lysine on your face create bouncier skin?
It's hard to say; most of the exciting collagen research on lysine comes from oral supplements or lab studies on mice. Further research is needed to truly understand what role topical lysine plays in skincare and your skin.
However, there's no harm in adding lysine to your routine as a supportive and hydrating ingredient.
Learn more about LysineMethionine is an essential amino acid. It is a conditioning agent and commonly found in both skin and hair products.
This amino acid is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant.
Fun fact: Methionine can be found in meat, fish, and dairy. It cannot be naturally produce and requires dietary intake.
Learn more about MethionineWe don't have a description for Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Ornithine yet.
Panthenol 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 PanthenolWe don't have a description for Pentasodium Pentetate yet.
Phenylalanine is an amino acid. It is a skin soothing and hydrating ingredient. Amino acids play a crucial role in wound healing and skin hydration.
This ingredient is also used to help even out skin tone due to its ability to disrupt the melanin production process.
Two structures of phenylalanine exist: L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is essential, this means our bodies cannot produce it naturally and we must get it from foods. Our bodies convert D-phenylalanine to neurotransmitters, and D-phenylalanine is found in our bodies naturally.
Some foods that contain L-phenylalanine include eggs, soybeans, beef, milk.
Learn more about PhenylalaninePolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Proline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning your body can make it on its own. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
It makes up about 23% of the collagen molecule (collagen is the protein responsible for keeping your skin firm) and is involved in your skin's natural hyaluronic acid production. When applied topically, proline can penetrate the skin fairly well due to its small molecular size.
Reviews of this ingredient have found it to be neither a dermal irritant nor a sensitizer.
Fun fact: Proline can be found in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
Learn more about ProlineSerine is a non-essential amino acid (your body makes it on its own!). It is a major player in 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.
Serine is one of your NMF's most abundant components that works as a skin-identical humectant. Its hydroxyl group grabs onto water molecules to boost hydration without any heaviness or occlusion.
Research on a hydrogel with serine confirmed this serine got delivered to your stratum corneum and demonstrated enhanced skin moisturization.
Interestingly serine also helps your skin produce filaggrin, a protein that keeps your skin barrier strong and used to create collagen.
Learn more about SerineJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTaurine is an amino acid that is found in human skin as an osmolyte. An osmolyte is a small molecule that cells use to hold onto water and stay comfortable under stressful conditions.
In skin cell studies, taurine accumulation helps cells maintain hydration in low-humidity environments. Some dermatology research on osmolytes also link taurine to barrier support. Research also suggests that osomolyte systems can be disrupted in photoaged skin.
One animal study reported tropical taurine improved barrier function and collagen signaling, while another one found oral taurine can lessen UVB-related damage. It is important to note that evidence for taurine in skincare is mostly preclinical, meaning further studies are needed.
Learn more about TaurineThreonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.
Our skin uses threonine for creating collagen and elastin. Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.
We don't have a description for Tryptophan yet.
Tyrosine is one of the amino acids used to create protein. It plays a role in melanin production.
A study from 2012 found tyrosine to show promising results in restoring skin volume.
Valine is an essential amino acid. It is used by our bodies for tissue repair and muscle growth.
An essential amino acid is one in which our bodies cannot naturally produce so we must get them through diet. Foods such as eggs, dairy, red meat, and fish contain valine.
This ingredient can either be derived from an animal product or be synthetically created.
Learn more about ValineWater. 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