What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning2,3-Butanediol
HumectantMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMyrica Cerifera Fruit Extract
HumectantAkebia Quinata Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, 2,3-Butanediol, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract, Akebia Quinata Stem Extract, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sorbitol
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentMagnesium Oxide
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
Tapioca Starch
Avena Sativa Kernel Protein
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Seed Extract
AstringentSilica
Abrasive
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Castoryl Maleate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Palmitate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sorbitol, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Oryza Sativa Starch, Magnesium Oxide, Citric Acid, Tapioca Starch, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract, Silica, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Inulin, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Kaolin, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Papain, Hyaluronic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Sea Salt, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Tocopherol, Castoryl Maleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Diglycerin, Maltodextrin, Lauroyl Lysine, Arginine, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Beta-Carotene, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Dextrin, Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Chloride, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Citrate, Water, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Alternatives
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 ArginineCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
