What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Caprate
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Styrene/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSucrose Stearate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
CleansingAlumina
AbrasiveBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMadecassoside
AntioxidantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, CI 77891, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methylpropanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Methyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Styrene/Ma Copolymer, Sucrose Stearate, Tromethamine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cellulose Gum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Betaine, Trehalose, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, T-Butyl Alcohol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Trehalose
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientC30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPrunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantPullulan
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, CI 77891, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dibutyl Adipate, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Trehalose, Aluminum Hydroxide, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pyrus Malus Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Adenosine, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Pullulan, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Undecane, Tridecane, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
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
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.
That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.
These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.
Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.
Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.
Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:
So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.
Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:
Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.
Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.
It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.
On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.
Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.
But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.
Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).
The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).
In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.
Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCi 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 EthylhexylglycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTrehalose 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water