What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Agar
MaskingCalcium Alginate
MaskingGellan Gum
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentDiatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientSucrose Palmitate
EmollientZinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Betaine, Methylpropanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzophenone-4, Agar, Calcium Alginate, Gellan Gum, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Acetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Mannitol, Arginine, 4-Butylresorcinol, Dextrin, Diatomaceous Earth, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Glycosphingolipids, Sucrose Palmitate, Zinc Sulfate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Artemisia Dracunculus Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Artemisia Dracunculus Leaf/Stem Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Arginine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, CI 77220, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract
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 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 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
