What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentTapioca Starch
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Tapioca Starch, Allantoin, Betaine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dextrin, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
PCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Orthosiphon Stamineus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Azelaic Acid, Inulin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Chlorphenesin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Sulfite, PCA, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Sodium Benzoate, Alanine, Sodium Chloride, Glycine, Polyglycerin-6, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Potassium Sorbate, Orthosiphon Stamineus Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Proline, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid
Reviews
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 ArginineAzelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCaprylyl 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 GlycolWater. 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
