What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Dextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Algin
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
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 ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglycerin-3, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Adenosine, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Beta-Glucan, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Madecassoside
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 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 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 CarbomerDipropylene 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 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 GlycerinPolyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3Water. 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
