What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantParfum
Masking
Water, Methylpropanediol, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Betaine, Trehalose, Glycereth-26, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Gluconolactone, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningQuercus Acutissima Fruit Extract 10%
AstringentPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Dextrin
AbsorbentBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Quercus Acutissima Fruit Extract 10%, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Citrate, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Allantoin, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Sodium Phytate, Dextrin, Beta-Glucan, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Oleanolic Acid
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycolGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract yet.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateThis ingredient comes from the Kudzu root.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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 HyaluronateThis tree is also known as the David Elm. It contains the ingredient bakuchiol.
Other great compounds found in this ingredient include galactose, glucose, and phenolics. The sugar content gives it great skin hydrating properties. Phenolics are potent antioxidants commonly found in fruits and veggies.
A 2020 study found the phenolics of this root to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fun fact: This ingredient is used in traditional Asian medicine.
Learn more about Ulmus Davidiana Root ExtractWater. 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
