What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Carrageenan
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Trehalose
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Euglena Gracilis Polysaccharide
Gel FormingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Potassium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Chondrus Crispus, Trehalose, Propylene Glycol, Euglena Gracilis Polysaccharide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Mica, CI 77891, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cellulose Gum, CI 77491, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingKaolin
Abrasive
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingTartaric Acid
Buffering
Aluminum Glycinate
AstringentDisodium EDTA
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Niacinamide, Cellulose Gum, Kaolin, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Allantoin, Caffeine, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyacrylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Aluminum Glycinate, Disodium EDTA, CI 77891, Isopropyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol
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 AllantoinCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
