What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glucose
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Polysorbate 60, Arginine, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Hexapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentalaurate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Arginine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Allantoin, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentalaurate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Betaine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hordeum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Arbutin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium 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
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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolWater. 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
