What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTranexamic Acid
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventFructan
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlutathione
Mentha Viridis Extract
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSqualane
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAngelica Gigas Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Arbutin, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tranexamic Acid, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Phytate, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Fructan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alcohol, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glutathione, Mentha Viridis Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Squalane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Angelica Gigas Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC13-15 Alkane
SolventTranexamic Acid
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Pea
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientDiacetyl Boldine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlucose
HumectantArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSorbitan Caprylate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Succinate
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C13-15 Alkane, Tranexamic Acid, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Diacetyl Boldine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lactobacillus, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Glucose, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Pentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate, C14-22 Alcohols, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sorbitan Caprylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Succinate, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, antiāinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum