What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXylitol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantMyristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCaprylic Acid
CleansingRaspberry Ketone
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Benzyl Glycol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingThymus Vulgaris Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Laurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Madecassoside, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Ceramide NP, Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Glucose, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Carbomer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylic Acid, Raspberry Ketone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Benzyl Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Mentha Viridis Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Thymus Vulgaris Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPanthenol 2.97%
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingElettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingWater, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Propanediol, Panthenol 2.97%, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Adenosine, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Madecassoside, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Linoleic Acid, Phytosterols, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil
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
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 AllantoinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosideMyristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea (M/PO/AM) is a synthetic pseudoceramide; it's basically a lab-made ingredient designed to mimic the ceramides that your skin naturally produces.
What makes this ingredient special? It is connected to something called multi-lamellar emulsion (MLE) technology.
Your skin's outermost layer (stratum corneum) is often described as a "brick wall" where skin cells are bricks and lipids hold everything together. Your lipids are Ceramides, Cholesterol, and free fatty acids.
These fatty acids are not just randomly squished together. They're arranged in very specific layered (lamellar) structures. Your barrier suffers when the layer structure gets disrupted from things like eczema, harsh weather, or over-exfoliating.
M/PO/AM is formulated within MLE technology to closely replicate your skin's natural layers, setting it apart from other ceramides.
The research behind M/PO/AM is pretty solid for eczema, aka atopic dermatitis. A 2003 study on children with eczema found that an MLE cream containing M/PO/AM outperformed a standard urea-based moisturizer. The study also found a 31-35% decrease in severity index compared to smaller improvements from the control cream.
Recently, a 2024 trial found that combining M/PO/AM with topical corticosteroid led to better outcomes than using the steroid alone. The trial noted improvements in skin hydration, dryness, itching, and quality of life scores.
Research has also shown that M/PO/AM can help reduce barrier-damaging side effects of long term topical steroid use.
This ingredient also goes by the trade name PC-9S. No notable allergy concerns have been flagged for this ingredient in the published literature.
Learn more about Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide MeaPanthenol 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