What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlgin
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Glycereth-26, Polyglycerin-3, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Allantoin, Betaine, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Glucose, Acetyl Glucosamine, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Dextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Algin, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrehalose
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPropanediol
SolventOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Carbomer, Trehalose, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Phytate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Pantothenic Acid, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Decyl Glucoside, Alpha-Arbutin, Hyaluronic Acid, Zinc PCA, Citric Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
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
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 AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTromethamine 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 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