What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningLauryl Betaine
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Citric Acid
BufferingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingCeramide As
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Soy Amino Acids, Lauryl Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Citric Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Coco-Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-7, 1,2-Hexanediol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Centella Asiatica Extract, Niacinamide, Ceramide As, Panthenol, Ceramide Ns, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Palm Kernelate
CleansingPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Potassium Palmitate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycol Stearate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Methylparaben
PreservativePolyquaternium-43
Propylparaben
PreservativeHydroxystearic Acid
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingArginine
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantMilk Protein Extract
Maltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Potassium Palm Kernelate, Potassium Cocoate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Glycol Distearate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate, Acrylates Copolymer, Potassium Palmitate, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Glycol Stearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Methylparaben, Polyquaternium-43, Propylparaben, Hydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Milk Protein Extract, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Reviews
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 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 GlycolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePolyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic 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