What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingTriethanolamine
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeIsohexadecane
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Styrene
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeBisabolol
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Benzoate
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Urea, Triethanolamine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, DMDM Hydantoin, Isohexadecane, Polyacrylate-13, Styrene, BHT, Disodium EDTA, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAspartic Acid
MaskingAmylopectin
PCA
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCarrageenan
Valine
MaskingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Aspartic Acid, Amylopectin, PCA, Dextrin, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ceramide NP, Chlorphenesin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glycine, Alanine, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Phytosterols, Serine, Stearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Carrageenan, Valine, Arachidyl Glucoside, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water