What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingInulin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingPiper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Allantoin, Propanediol, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bisabolol, Pentylene Glycol, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Inulin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantOleyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-75 Lanolin
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCentella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles
Ethylhexyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Ceramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Carbomer, Sodium Dna, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, PEG-75 Lanolin, Stearic Acid, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles, Ethylhexyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Adenosine, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cholesterol, Sodium Chloride, Trehalose, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Ceramide EOP
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCentella 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 ExtractCeramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
Learn more about Ceramide APCeramide AS is formally known as Ceramides 4 and 5.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1.
It is naturally found in skin and part of the intercellular "mortar" holding everything together in your outermost layer.
EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
What makes Ceramide EOP special is its ultra-long fatty acid chain; this unique structure allows it to bridge the lipid layers in your skin barrier to prevent water loss (something no other ceramide can do).
Low levels of Ceramide EOP have been found in people with eczema and psoriasis.
Using it together with other ceramides, cholesterol, and linoleic acid have been shown to meaningfully improve hydration and reduce water loss.
In one clinical study, a regimen using Ceramide EOP, NP, and AP led to significant symptom improvements in patients with eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin in just 4 weeks.
You'll usually see concentrations between 0.1-0.5% in formulations. Overall, this is a well-tolerated and safe ingredient for cosmetic use.
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeramide 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 NPCeramide NS is formally known as Ceramide 2. It is one of the major ceramides in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) plays a role in forming a protective barrier.
Due to its structure, skin lipids can be packed tightly and in turn, this strengthens the barrier and reduces water loss.
Studies show conditions like atopic dermatitis can worsen when ceramide NS levels are low.
Learn more about Ceramide NsCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenonePanthenol 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 PanthenolWater. 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