What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Betaine
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isopentyldiol, Butylene Glycol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dextrin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Arginine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract 40%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyisobutene
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Phytate
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPinus Pumila Twig Leaf Extract
PerfumingPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Houttuynia Cordata Extract 40%, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Stearic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Phytosphingosine, Pinus Pumila Twig Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Cholesterol, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Tocopherol, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Beta-Glucan, 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.
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 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPanthenol 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 PanthenolSodium 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