What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin 14.5%
Humectant
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, 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
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantC12-15 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingAstaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Commiphora Abyssinica Gum Oil
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Pearl
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Glycol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Glutathione
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningFullerenes
AntimicrobialFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Agar
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-15 Pareth-9, Astaxanthin, Commiphora Abyssinica Gum Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Benzyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pvp, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Carbomer, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Bacillus/Folic Acid/Soybean Ferment Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Adenosine, Tranexamic Acid, Glutathione, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Beta-Carotene, Xanthophylls, Fullerenes, Ferulic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Agar, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 ArginineBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPentylene 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 Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Water. 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
