What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Honey Extract 40%
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeoyl Tripeptide-1
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantSucrose
HumectantFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlucosylrutin
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract 40%, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Hyaluronic Acid, Sorbitol, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Oligopeptide-2, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Beta-Glucan, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Caffeoyl Tripeptide-1, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose, Fructose, Glucose, Trehalose, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Glucosylrutin, Arginine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Water 43%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSh-Oligopeptide-1 2%
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientOryza Sativa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentMaranta Arundinacea Root Extract
SmoothingInula Racemosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingGinkgo Biloba Leaf Water 43%, Water, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglutamic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Lysolecithin, Sh-Oligopeptide-1 2%, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Oryza Sativa Callus Culture Extract, Propolis Extract, Caviar Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Inula Racemosa Root Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Adenosine, Carbomer, Arginine
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.
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 preservatives
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 AllantoinArginine 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.
Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.
Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.
This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:
Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenPropolis Extract is a natural ingredient derived from propolis (also known as bee glue). Bees make propolis by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds and plants.
This ingredient is packed with bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acids that give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research shows it can help:
It also pairs nicely with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides.
Just so you know, Propolis Extract is recognized as a contact allergen. In patch tests done in the EU, roughly 1-6% of patients react to it. Be sure to steer clear of this ingredient if you have a known allergy to bee products.
Since it is an animal-derived product, this ingredient is not considered vegan. For vegan alternatives, check out Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate or Centella Asiatica Extract.
Learn more about Propolis Extractsh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1Water. 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