What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract
Masking
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Glucose, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Phormium Tenax Leaf Water
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Allium Sativum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Luffa Cylindrica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentTocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhormium Tenax Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Allantoin, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Carnosine, Collagen Extract, Ectoin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Inositol, Squalane, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Octyldodecanol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Allium Sativum Bulb Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Phytosterols, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum
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.
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
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 AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
