What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSuccinic Acid
BufferingCryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCetearyl Olivate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingMalachite Extract
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingGluconic Acid
Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Succinic Acid, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Glycerin, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Olivate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Malachite Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Gluconic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentTapioca Starch
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDextrin
AbsorbentCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Tapioca Starch, Allantoin, Betaine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Arginine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dextrin, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAllantoin 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 AllantoinArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineBetaine 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolPanthenol 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 PanthenolPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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