What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZea Mays Kernel Extract
Disodium EDTA
Trehalose
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingFructan
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingGlucose
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingGlycine
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
PerfumingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Salicylic Acid, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Disodium EDTA, Trehalose, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Fructan, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Glucose, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Glycine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingLactobionic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Lactose
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Seed Extract
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Extract
AstringentPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingUncaria Tomentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningAgrimonia Eupatoria Extract
AstringentCorydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Leaf Extract
PerfumingNepeta Cataria Extract
TonicMadecassoside
AntioxidantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingWater, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, C12-14 Pareth-12, Lactobionic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Lactose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Panthenol, Lonicera Caprifolium Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Uncaria Tomentosa Extract, Agrimonia Eupatoria Extract, Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf Extract, Nepeta Cataria Extract, Madecassoside, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
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 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 ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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