What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Allantoin, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunella Vulgaris Extract
Antioxidant
Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Panthenol, Betaine, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
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.Β
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 preservativesΒ
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 AllantoinAvena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.
This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.
The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer.
Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our skin from free-radical damage.
Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds:
This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel ExtractBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itβs 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 PanthenolWater. 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 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
