What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventArbutin
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Arbutin, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Diglycerin
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Benzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Propanediol, Diglycerin, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Tromethamine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Betaine, Polyglycerin-3, Panthenol, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Lactobionic Acid, Glycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, T-Butyl Alcohol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid
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
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 AllantoinButylene 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 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 PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. 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
