What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
Astringent
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolybutene
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Cellulose
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
C10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera, Acacia Senegal Gum, Synthetic Wax, Glycerin, Pvp, Polybutene, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Arginine, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Plankton Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77266
Water
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicUrtica Dioica Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glycerin, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Zea Mays Starch, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Phenethyl Alcohol, Biotin, Urtica Dioica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, CI 77499
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine 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 ArginineCaprylyl 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThis ingredient comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. This ingredient is used to thicken texture and leaves behind a film when applied.
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 GlycerinPotassium 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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
