What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Benincasa Cerifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Benincasa Cerifera Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc PCA, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Oil, Sodium Lactate, Menthyl Lactate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglycerin-10
HumectantTrimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBetaine
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aframomum Melegueta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Yedoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Mevalonolactone
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Polyglycerin-10, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Betaine, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Aframomum Melegueta Seed Extract, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Viola Yedoensis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, Mevalonolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Ectoin, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Ceramide NP, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 HydroxyacetophenonePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
