What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Arginine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Parfum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Honey Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Royal Jelly Extract, CI 19140, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Propolis Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Betaine
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVerbena Officinalis Leaf Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Agar
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Verbena Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Agar, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerArginine 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 GlycolDisodium 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 GlycerinWater. 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
