What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Sodium Phytate
Sucrose
HumectantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGellan Gum
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCalcium Lactate
AstringentDextrin
AbsorbentCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicPotassium Chloride
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glutathione, Sodium Phytate, Sucrose, Cellulose Gum, Gellan Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Calcium Lactate, Dextrin, Cyclodextrin, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Potassium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Carrageenan, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77007, CI 77891, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveCalcium Chloride
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Phytate
Parfum
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningColeus Forskohlii Root Extract
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingSerine
MaskingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Calcium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Phytate, Parfum, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Trehalose, Urea, Serine, Micrococcus Lysate, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Potassium Phosphate, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCeratonia Siliqua Gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. You might know this ingredient as Carob Gum or Locust Bean Gum. It is used to stabilize other ingredients and improve the texture of products.
Carob gum is made up of long-chain polysaccharides. This makes it a natural thickener.
Yes! This ingredient comes from the seeds of a tree. The name 'Locust Bean Gum' can be misleading.
Learn more about Ceratonia Siliqua GumCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 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 HydroxyacetophenonePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene 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 HyaluronateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteWater. 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