What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventMorinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingAspartic Acid
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingLeucine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Arginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientHistidine
HumectantSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Madecassoside, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Tocopherol, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Adenosine, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Aspartic Acid, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Leucine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Bacillus Ferment, Sclerotium Gum, Alanine, Lysine, Caprylyl Glycol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Histidine, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Methionine, Cysteine, Ceramide NP, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Water, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPapain
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingBromelain
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningProtease
ExfoliatingSucrose Distearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Phytate
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningKojic Dipalmitate
EmollientOryzanol
Skin ConditioningLipase
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Methylpropanediol, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Glucan, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Tocopherol, Fructooligosaccharides, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ectoin, Mannitol, Papain, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Oryza Sativa Extract, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Chloride, Bromelain, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Protease, Sucrose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Dna, Kojic Dipalmitate, Oryzanol, Lipase
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
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 ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 LecithinOryza Sativa Extract comes from the rice grain, Oryza sativa. Rice extract has wound healing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.
Rice grains contain numerous antioxidants which may help with anti-aging, such as vitamin E. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radical molecules. Unstable free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and accelerate signs of aging.
A study from 2002 found rice to help increase the rate of wound healing. The same study found an improvement of skin barrier function in the patients after taking rice baths.
Numerous in-vitro studies have found rice water to help decrease sun damage by increasing collagen production and inhibiting the process of tyrosinase.
Long story short- tyrosinase is an enzyme that controls melanin production. Our bodies start producing melanin (AKA tanning) when exposed to UV radiation to protect against damage. Rice water is found to partially block this process.
Though more research is needed on rice's ability to help with UV protection, recent studies seem promising.
Wondering why rice is hydrating? The protein in rice have emollient properties. Emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in, keeping your skin moisturized.
Some rice extract may have mildly-exfoliating properties. These are mainly limited to Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran and Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Powder.
This rice was first cultivated in China over 10,000 years ago. Many cultures throughout Asia have used rice water on skin and hair for centuries.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa ExtractPanthenol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 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