What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin 14.5%
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantArginine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycerin 14.5%, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Polyglutamic Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium PCA, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Arginine, Methionine, Cysteine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glucose, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentEctoin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasiveArginine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientOleic Acid
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Panthenol, Squalane, Colloidal Oatmeal, Ectoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Ceramide NP, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Calcium Chloride, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Arginine, Methionine, Cysteine, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Allantoin, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xylitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Tocopherol
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 or alcohol, 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 CarbomerCysteine is an amino acid found in our bodies. It becomes an antioxidant when converted into gluthatione.
Once it becomes gluthatione, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell. Gluthatione has also been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractMethionine is an essential amino acid. It is a conditioning agent and commonly found in both skin and hair products.
This amino acid is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant.
Fun fact: Methionine can be found in meat, fish, and dairy. It cannot be naturally produce and requires dietary intake.
Learn more about MethioninePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer and used to help stabilize other ingredients.
Emulsion stabilizers hold ingredients together, helping to create an even texture throughout the product.
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate can also be used to thicken the texture.
Learn more about Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateWater. 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol