What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Guaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Calamine
AbsorbentChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentNelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Extract
Perfuming
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
Abrasive
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isopentyldiol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Cocos Nucifera Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Guaiazulene, Calamine, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSalicylic 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 AcidSodium 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
