What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco-Sulfate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Water
SolventPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoidesamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingPineamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAbies Sibirica Needle Extract
PerfumingFlavocetraria Nivalis Extract
HumectantRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientPinus Sibirica Needle Extract
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingRubus Arcticus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBiotin/Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin/Niacinamide/Pantothenic Acid/Pyridoxine/Riboflavin/Thiamine/Yeast Polypeptides
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Water, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoidesamidopropyl Betaine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Pineamidopropyl Betaine, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Abies Sibirica Needle Extract, Flavocetraria Nivalis Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Pinus Sibirica Needle Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rubus Arcticus Fruit Extract, Biotin/Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin/Niacinamide/Pantothenic Acid/Pyridoxine/Riboflavin/Thiamine/Yeast Polypeptides, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, CI 15985, CI 16255, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Glycerin
HumectantCocamide Methyl Mea
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningRhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientTypha Angustifolia Spike Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPopulus Nigra Bark/Bud/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentAtractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningSaposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract
AntimicrobialSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyquaternium-7
Glyceryl Oleate
EmollientPolyquaternium-22
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPEG-Crosspolymer
Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingTetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingZein
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Glycerin, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Sodium Chloride, Adenosine, Escin, Biotin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Caffeine, Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinol, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Typha Angustifolia Spike Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Populus Nigra Bark/Bud/Leaf/Twig Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Menthol, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Polyquaternium-7, Glyceryl Oleate, Polyquaternium-22, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, PEG-Crosspolymer, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Glucoside, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caramel, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Butylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hexylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Zein, Cholesterol, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body. Our skin uses alanine to build collagen, elastin, and keratin.
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 ArginineAspartic 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.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycine 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.
Glycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilHistidine 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.
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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenylalanine 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 PhenylalanineProline 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 SerineSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideThreonine 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.
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