What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
2,3-Butanediol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycereth-26
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Octadecenedioic Acid
Emulsifying
Caffeic Acid
Antioxidant
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinic Acid
Antioxidant
Erythritol
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Gluconolactone, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, 2,3-Butanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Kojic Acid, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Octadecenedioic Acid, Caffeic Acid, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Allantoin, Rosmarinic Acid, Erythritol, Polyquaternium-51, Disodium EDTA, C12-14 Alketh-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, CI 42090
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
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 AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
