What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Propanediol
SolventMorus Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAcetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantErythritol
HumectantChondrus Crispus
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingDecapeptide-52
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantothenate
Zinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingOrnithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucosamine Hcl
Disodium Succinate
MaskingFisetin
Cosmetic ColorantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Inulin, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Cellulose Gum, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Propanediol, Morus Nigra Leaf Extract, Arginine, Acetyl Tyrosine, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Erythritol, Chondrus Crispus, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Decapeptide-52, Calcium Pantothenate, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Niacinamide, Ornithine Hcl, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-11, Citrulline, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Xanthan Gum, Glucosamine Hcl, Disodium Succinate, Fisetin, Raspberry Ketone, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCurcuma Longa Callus Culture Conditioned Media
AntioxidantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingPolydextrose
HumectantArginine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Glycine
BufferingPCA
HumectantLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantAlanine
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSerine
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDextran
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingPhytic Acid
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialApigenin
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Curcuma Longa Callus Culture Conditioned Media, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Avena Sativa Peptide, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Aspartic Acid, Polydextrose, Arginine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Glycine, PCA, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Alanine, Caprylyl Glycol, Serine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Dextran, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Phytic Acid, Zinc Chloride, Apigenin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Algin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Cellulose Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate
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
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 GlycolCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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