What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSucrose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantFructose
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
AntioxidantSorbitol
HumectantErythritol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventChamaecyparis Obtusa Branch/Leaf Extract
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose, Glucose, Fructose, Beta-Glucan, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Sorbitol, Erythritol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Branch/Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHimanthalia Elongata Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Himanthalia Elongata Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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