What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Maltobionic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientArginine
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ammonium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Juice
AstringentRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
PEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Steareth-20
CleansingCeteth-20
CleansingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycolic Acid, Maltobionic Acid, Gluconolactone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Arginine, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Ammonium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopheryl Acetate, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Juice, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Ethylene Brassylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, PEG-75 Stearate, Steareth-20, Ceteth-20, Triethyl Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
Humectant
Maltose
MaskingTrehalose
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientDimethiconol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Glycine, Alanine, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Lysine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Betaine, Allantoin, Fructose, Maltose, Trehalose, Glucose, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Isododecane, Dimethiconol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ArginineButylene 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
