What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract 61%
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Coptis Chinensis Root Extract
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Honey Extract
Humectant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Honey
Humectant
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Acetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract 61%, Water, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Trehalose, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Honey Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Adenosine, Coco-Glucoside, Honey, Royal Jelly Extract, Disodium EDTA, Caramel, Propolis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Acetylphytosphingosine, Phytosphingosine
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed 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
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 ArginineBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
