What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingAgropyron Repens Root Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glycerin, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Zea Mays Starch, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Phenethyl Alcohol, Agropyron Repens Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Cera
AstringentAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolybutene
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientArginine
MaskingPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientRhus Verniciflua Peel Wax
Cellulose
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTartaric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingTriticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 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
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 ArginineGlycerin (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