What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveBentonite
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSilt
AbsorbentArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Seed
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCharcoal Powder
AbrasivePolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingQuaternium-73
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Betaine, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Silt, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Fragaria Vesca Seed, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Charcoal Powder, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Quaternium-73
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAhnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 74260
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Propylene Glycol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Dimethiconol, Allantoin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Ahnfeltiopsis Concinna Extract, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, CI 19140, CI 74260, CI 77266, CI 16255, Salicylic 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
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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