What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantColloidal Oatmeal
AbsorbentAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine Max Oil
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Madecassoside, Colloidal Oatmeal, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Ceramide EOP, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Asiaticoside, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Carbomer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Arginine, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Glycine Max Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Disodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Honey Extract
HumectantAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPCA Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycereth-26
HumectantPetrolatum
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientRaffinose
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCalcium Pantothenate
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingHoney Extract, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, PCA Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Petrolatum, Trisiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-150 Distearate, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Raffinose, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Arginine, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Beeswax, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Propolis Extract, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Calcium Pantothenate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ArginineThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 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