What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningOxidized Glutathione
EmollientUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventSea Water
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Malic Acid
Buffering
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Ergothioneine, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Oxidized Glutathione, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Sea Water, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Malic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlucuronolactone
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glucuronolactone, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bisabolol, Polysorbate 20, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Madecassoside, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Gluconolactone, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololDimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis combination of bacteria + black tea + fermentation = kombucha.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps boost radiance, smoothness, and thickens skin.
You can read about the skin benefits of the individual parts here:
Saccharomyces
Black tea
Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumThis is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateWater. 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
