What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSophora Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCassia Italica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
SmoothingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycereth-26, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sophora Japonica Fruit Extract, Cassia Italica Leaf Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Betaine, Allantoin, Arginine, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Arginine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCoceth-7
EmulsifyingPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRosa Rugosa Stem Extract
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit
AbrasiveSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract
AstringentCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Disodium EDTA, Arginine, Panthenol, Betaine, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Alcohol Denat., Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosa Rugosa Stem Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Hydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Rubus Occidentalis Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 ArginineBetaine 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 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinWe don't have a description for Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract yet.
This ingredient comes from a brown kelp called Macrocystis pyrifera. It is rich in antioxidants and can help hydrate skin.
Brown kelp are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and phlorotannins. Phlorotannins have been found to help with inhibiting melanin production and helping reduce the signs of aging due to their high antioxidant activity.
One study suggests phlorotannins may even have some sun protection factor due to their antioxidant activity. However, this ingredient should not replace your sunscreen.
Macrocystis pyrifera is made up of about: 60% carbohydrates, 10% protein, and 1.50% lipid content. The last 30% is kelp ash.
This kelp can be found in the southern hemisphere and north Pacific.
Learn more about Macrocystis Pyrifera ExtractParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol 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 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