What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPantolactone
HumectantMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingXylitylglucoside
HumectantMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingXylitol
HumectantCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialOctyldodecanol
EmollientEctoin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
HumectantSodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-40
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycereth-26, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Pantolactone, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Xylitylglucoside, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Octyldodecanol, Ectoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Sitosterol, Glucose, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Ceramide NP, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientArbutin
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantParfum
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Multiflora Extract
AntioxidantGlutathione
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, C12-14 Pareth-12, Arginine, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Arbutin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Parfum, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosa Multiflora Extract, Glutathione, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic 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.
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
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 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 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 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 HydroxyacetophenoneNiacinamide 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