What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Betaine, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Beta-Glucan, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Madecassoside, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Caffeine, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Artemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Maltodextrin, C12-14 Pareth-12, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 AllantoinBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is commonly known as Patchouli oil.
Patchouli exhibits slight antibacterial and antifungal activity from its patchoulol and alpha-patchoulene content.
However, it also contains known skin-irritating fragrances. A study from 2015 found limonene and camphor as active components of this ingredient.
Limonene and camphor are both known EU allergens.
Learn more about Pogostemon Cablin Leaf OilSalvia Officinalis Oil is an oil.
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 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 HyaluronateSodium 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
