What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningWasabia Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingWater, Wasabia Japonica Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Adenosine, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Beta-Glucan, Pentylene Glycol, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Malachite Extract
AntioxidantSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGellan Gum
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Agar
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine
BufferingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAmber Powder
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPorphyra Yezoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningSargassum Fusiforme Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Malachite Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gellan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Agar, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Arginine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Glycine, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Amber Powder, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Dna, Glutamic Acid, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Lactate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Porphyra Yezoensis Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Sargassum Fusiforme Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineArginine 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideWater. 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