What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPyrus Malus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gluconolactone, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Prunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pyrus Malus Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Tocopherol, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventParfum
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Betaine, Trehalose, Glycerin, Allantoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Parfum, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment
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 AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolDipotassium 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 GlycyrrhizateDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolWater. 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