What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientOleyl Erucate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantMyristyl Myristate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Stearic Acid
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Olivoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantLaureth-3
EmulsifyingOryzanol
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Erucate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Arginine, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Laureth-3, Oryzanol, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Dipropylene Glycol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Chlorphenesin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPrunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSucrose Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSteareth-20
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantTetrasodium EDTA
Glyceryl Linoleate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialGlucose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Dipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentMagnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Acetate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantValine
MaskingChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSerine
Masking2'-Deoxyadenosine
Cystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDeoxycytidine
Deoxyguanosine
Thymidine
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningAminobutyric Acid
Methionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningGlucuronolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningDisodium Flavine Adenine Dinucleotide
Sodium Trimetaphosphate
BufferingRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantNiacin
SmoothingNiacinamide
SmoothingPyridoxal 5-Phosphate
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Phosphate
CleansingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-16 Alcohols, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-8, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sucrose Palmitate, Parfum, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Steareth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glyceryl Linoleate, Polysorbate 20, Tromethamine, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Polyacrylate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Potassium Chloride, Dipeptide-2, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Sodium Phosphate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Tocopherol, Lysine Hcl, Arginine, Alanine, Histidine, Valine, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Serine, 2'-Deoxyadenosine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Deoxycytidine, Deoxyguanosine, Thymidine, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Aminobutyric Acid, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine, Coenzyme A, Glucuronolactone, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Disodium Flavine Adenine Dinucleotide, Sodium Trimetaphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Tocopheryl Phosphate
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 ArginineChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPotassium 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 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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