What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Gluconolactone, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betula Alba Juice, Maltodextrin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Dextrin
AbsorbentCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Trehalose, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Gluconolactone, Allantoin, Glycolic Acid, Dextrin, Cyanocobalamin, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolDipropylene 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 EDTAGluconolactone 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 GluconolactoneMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolWater. 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
