What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOenanthe Javanica Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningSalvianolic Acid B
Skin ConditioningWater, Oenanthe Javanica Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Panthenol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Citrate, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Phytate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pantothenic Acid, Salvianolic Acid B
Water
Skin ConditioningOenanthe Javanica Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsostearyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingRhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Oenanthe Javanica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Silica, Panthenol, Polyisobutene, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Allantoin, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Phospholipids, Sodium Phytate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pantothenic Acid, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Limonene
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 GlycolCentella 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 ExtractThis ingredient comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile help fight free-radical molecules. These unstable molecules may damage your skin cells. By stabilizing them, antioxidants may help reduce the signs of aging.
Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help with stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita ExtractCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
The term '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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
Though this oil shows antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also a known skin-irritant due to its fragrance components.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc. The trade name for this ingredient is Leucidal.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltrateWe don't have a description for Oenanthe Javanica Extract yet.
Panthenol 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 PanthenolPantothenic Acid is also known as Vitamin B5. It is a water-soluble vitamin with skin hydrating and soothing properties.
Research shows pantothenic acid help support the skin's natural barrier by improving moisture retention. This is why you'll likely find this ingredient in soothing products or formulations for sensitive skin.
Some studies have explored oral supplementation of pantothenic acid in the acne context and found it to help reduce blemishes over time.
Though oral and topical use are different, this research helps explain why vitamin B5 is often included in skincare routines aimed at keeping skin balanced and hydrated.
Learn more about Pantothenic AcidPhospholipids are a family of skin-identical lipids that makeup the structural backbone of every cell membrane in your body.
In cosmetics, they function as skin conditioning agents with emulsifier and surfactant properties. They're typically sourced from soybean or sunflower lecithin (or sometimes egg yolk or marine sources).
Because they mirror the lipids naturally found in the deeper layers of your skin, topical phospholipids help reinforce the lipid matrix, reduce transepidermal water loss, and leave skin feeling conditioned.
They're also used to form liposomes, or tiny self-assembling vesible used to stabilize actives like vitamin c or retinol. This helps these ingredients integrate into the upper layers of skin more easily.
Phospholipids are compatible with everything and the CIR Expert Panel has concluded them to be safe at current use levels.
Some types of phospholipids include:
Learn more about PhospholipidsPropanediol 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 PropanediolWe don't have a description for Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract yet.
Sage leaf extract is a culinary and medicinal herb with antibacterial, antioxidant, and soothing properties.
This ingredient is made up of 75-90% ursolic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Water. 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