What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Propanediol
SolventSorbitol
HumectantSerine
MaskingCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingArginine
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Lactate
BufferingAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAtractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPaeonol
AntioxidantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propanediol, Sorbitol, Serine, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trehalose, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Adenosine, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amodimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Arginine, Allantoin, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Lactate, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Yeast Extract, Honey, Polysorbate 20, Beta-Glucan, Angelica Gigas Extract, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Chloride, Methionine, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Paeonol, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantRhus Semialata Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrtus Communis Extract
AstringentSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhloretin
AntioxidantThioctic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Bis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, Rhus Semialata Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Polysilicone-11, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, Arginine, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, Allantoin, Carnitine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sorbitol, Cetyl Phosphate, Adenosine, PEG-14m, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Phloretin, Thioctic Acid
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
Adenosine 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 AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinArginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to 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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDipropylene 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 GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Panthenol 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 PanthenolParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water