What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicylic Acid
MaskingChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFructan
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
AntioxidantZinc PCA
HumectantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentBetaine
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Fructan, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Zinc PCA, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Allantoin, Potassium Hydroxide, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEscin
TonicNiacinamide
SmoothingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantTaraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBetaine
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMilk Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Escin, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Betaine, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Milk Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Ascorbic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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
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 AllantoinBetaine 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 BetaineButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
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.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractWater. 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