What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventSorbitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBetula Alba Juice
AstringentSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlucose
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingWater, Methylpropanediol, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Betula Alba Juice, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Betaine Salicylate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Papain, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Diglycerin, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Glycerin, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glucose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Lactate, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Mentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Ceramide NP, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Disodium EDTA, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientArtemisia Princeps Leaf Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingGlucose
HumectantAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-14 Pareth-12, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Glucose, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDipropylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 GlycerinTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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