What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTranexamic Acid
AstringentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Ceramide NP, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Tranexamic Acid, Allantoin, Collagen, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Morinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingLeonurus Sibiricus Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
PerfumingMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingChrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Jojoba Protein
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCalcium Pantothenate
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveStearic Acid
CleansingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMorinda Citrifolia Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Leonurus Sibiricus Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Allantoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Calcium Pantothenate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Silica, Stearic Acid, Maltodextrin, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol Denat.
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.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 AllantoinAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.Â
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
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 ExtractCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolWater. 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