What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Propanediol, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Benzyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAspartic Acid
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingResveratrol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantSerine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trehalose, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Arginine, Octyldodeceth-16, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Aspartic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Chloride, Resveratrol, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Histidine, Serine, Alanine, Threonine, Proline, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Asiaticoside, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, 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.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
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 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 CarbomerCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 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 PropanediolWater. 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