What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantPantolactone
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate, Allantoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Pantolactone, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Niacinamide, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Guaiazulene
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAspartic Acid
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantWater, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Betaine, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Guaiazulene, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Aspartic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Reviews
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAllantoin 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 AllantoinAmmonium 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 CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWe don't have a description for Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide yet.
Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolPanthenol 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 PanthenolPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser.
On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateWater. 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