What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Vinyldimethicone
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Polyacrylate-13
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientOleic Acid
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Glutathione
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Vinyldimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, C14-22 Alcohols, Phenyl Trimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Stearic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Arginine, Palmitic Acid, Allantoin, Silica, Polyacrylate-13, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Squalane, Bisabolol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Glucose, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Oleic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Arachidic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Myristic Acid, Glutathione, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Thuja Orientalis Extract
AntimicrobialChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Citrus Grandis Seed Extract
Astringent
Acorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Stabilising
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Panthenol, Betaine, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Arginine, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglutamic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
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
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 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 CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinWater. 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
