What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingC12-13 Alkyl Methacrylate
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
AntioxidantQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
Cleansing4-Terpineol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingLauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-22
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingSodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Phytate
Glycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctanediol
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, C12-13 Alkyl Methacrylate, Lauryl Betaine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Butylene Glycol, Glycine Soja Extract, Panthenol, Biotin, Tocopherol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, 4-Terpineol, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-22, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthol, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Phytate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Octanediol, Alcohol Denat., Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningVinyldimethicone
Glycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate 2.25%
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate 2.25%
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningErythritol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingAcetyl Glutamine
Skin Conditioning4-Terpineol
MaskingGlucose
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Vinyldimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Bifida Ferment Lysate 2.25%, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate 2.25%, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitol, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Erythritol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Squalane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Cellulose, Polyglutamic Acid, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Acetyl Glutamine, 4-Terpineol, Glucose, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Cellulose Gum, Carbomer
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
4-Terpineol is the main component of tea tree oil.
This ingredient is the reason tea tree oil has most of its reputation. Research points to a broad range of biological activity including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Studies show it can significantly block the pathway involved in skin inflammation. It has also been shown to work against acne-causing bacteria, fungi, and even some viruses (and seems to be more effective on its own rather than part of tea tree oil).
Overall, this botanical extract is well-researched and skin-friendly.
Learn more about 4-TerpineolBifida Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic ingredient made by fermenting Bifidobacterium to extract a nutrient-rich mix of peptides, amino acids, vitamins, organic acids, and polysaccharides.
These components are basically the building blocks that your skin already uses to stay hydrated, repair itself, and maintain its barrier. That's why this ingredient helps your skin hold onto moisture and stay resilient against irritation.
One in-vitro study found that this ingredient tells your skin cells to produce more of the proteins (filaggrin, loricrin, and involucrin) for building a strong and healthy barrier. This study also found this ingredient to be a solid antioxidant that helped neutralize damage against UV and pollution.
A study with people from 2010 found that sensitive, reactive skin using a cream with 10% of this ingredient for a month became noticeably less dry, less reactive, and harder to irritate compared to the group using a plain cream.
In short, this ingredient is a well-tolerated ingredient that can help with barrier repair, antioxidant protection, and calming reactive skin.
This ingredient is generally considered fungal acne (Malassezia) safe; Bifidobacterium is a bacterium, not a yeast or fungus.
The fungal acne concern with fermented ingredients mainly applies to yeast-derived ferments like Saccharomyces and Galactomyces, because those are in the same kingdom as Malassezia and could theoretically contain residual compounds that feed it.
Bifida is a completely different organism, so on its own it doesn't provide a food source for the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about Bifida Ferment LysateButylene 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 GlycerinLactobacillus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic with skin soothing properties. Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient comes from the secretion of the bacteria, Lactobacillus.
Studies show this ingredient can help calm redness and may help treat the signs of photoaging; however, the evidence is inconclusive and further studies are needed.
Lactobacillus Ferment is generally considered safe for fungal-acne prone skin. The key thing to understand is that it comes from bacteria, not yeast or fungus.
Yeast-derived ferments (like galactomyces) have been shown to activate a protein that's linked to Malassezia-related skin issues whereas lactobacillus doesn't have that problem.
Its byproducts also don't contain the types of fatty acids (C11-24 chain lengths) that Malassezia feeds on.
Learn more about Lactobacillus Ferment LysatePanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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