What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningAlpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentCitrus Depressa Peel Extract
HumectantSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPropanediol
SolventTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitral
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingTurpentine
PerfumingSilica
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Betaine, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Citrus Depressa Peel Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Nonapeptide-1, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Laurate, Disodium Phosphate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Terpineol, Turpentine, Silica, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTropolone
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, C10-18 Triglycerides, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Collagen Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Dipeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Serine, Methionine, Cysteine, Arginine, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglutamic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Glucoside, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Stearate, Carbomer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glucose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit 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.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 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 GlycerinNonapeptide-1 is created from amino acids including arginine and lysine.
It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Emerging studies show Nonapeptide-1 to help with reducing pigmentation and brightening the skin. It has shown to prevent the activation of tyrosinase, an enzyme in the skin that begins the process of melanin creation. Melanin is responsible for giving skin a tan or dark spots.
Learn more about Nonapeptide-1Pentylene 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate yet.
This ingredient is created by fermenting the yeast, Saccharomyces, and rice. Saccharomyces is rich in beta-glucan and has great hydrating properties.
Rice ferment also has great skin benefits - read more about them here.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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