What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Operculina Altissima Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-3, Hexapeptide-11, Glycolic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Operculina Altissima Root Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Adenosine, Ethyl Hexanediol, Acetyl Glutamine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Folic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lecithin, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Wheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Polysorbate 80, Panthenol, Trehalose, Betaine, Carbomer, Arginine, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Wheat Amino Acids, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Beta-Glucan, Parfum
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
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 AllantoinArginine 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 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 CarbomerDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
