What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Portulaca Oleracea Extract 76%
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOyster Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPEG-5 Soy Sterol
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientPEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingCeteth-3
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPortulaca Oleracea Extract 76%, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Glycerin, Oyster Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Acetyl Glutamine, Sodium Polyacrylate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dextrin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Caramel, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Ethyl Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Pantolactone, Polyacrylamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-5 Soy Sterol, Cholesterol, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Ceteth-5, Ceteth-3, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningStearyl Olivate
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRibes Nigrum Seed Extract
EmollientYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Stearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ribes Nigrum Seed Extract, Yeast Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolRetinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water