What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-80 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantArginine
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantVinegar Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlutamine
Skin ConditioningLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingCysteine Hcl
AntioxidantCitrulline
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningOrnithine
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingHydrolyzed Roe
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Milk
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantTrideceth-10
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingAlcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-80 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Betaine, Arginine, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vinegar Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Lysine Hcl, Leucine, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Cysteine Hcl, Citrulline, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine Hcl, Ornithine, Carnitine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Panthenol, Phenylalanine, Proline, Menthol, Hydrolyzed Roe, Oryza Sativa Extract, Hydrolyzed Milk, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Histidine Hcl, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Biotin, Pyridoxine, Cyanocobalamin, Tocopherol, Riboflavin, Beta-Carotene, Thiamine Hcl, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Parfum, Sodium PCA, Trideceth-10, Lactic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Salicylic Acid
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycereth-26
HumectantMenthol
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Naphthalenesulfonate
C12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingRosa Davurica Bud Extract
AntioxidantBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Alcohol Denat., Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caffeine, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Allantoin, Trehalose, C12-14 Pareth-12, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Sodium Naphthalenesulfonate, C12-13 Pareth-9, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Rosa Davurica Bud Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
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 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 GlycerinMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePanthenol 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itās still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid