What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Raspberry Seed Oil
EmollientStearoxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
CleansingMaleic Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Roe Extract
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone
Skin ConditioningGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningArginine Aminophosphonobutyric Acid
AntioxidantIsostearic Acid
CleansingPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
MoisturisingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDistearyldimonium Chloride
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDiethyl Sebacate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Raspberry Seed Oil, Stearoxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Maleic Acid, Polyquaternium-61, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Roe Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone, Gamma-Docosalactone, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide AP, Arginine Aminophosphonobutyric Acid, Isostearic Acid, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Phytosterols, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Diethyl Sebacate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
CleansingPropylene Glycol Dioleate
EmollientSteardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningMeadowfoam Delta-Lactone
Skin ConditioningGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningPhytantriol
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantBis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientTripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningFullerenes
AntimicrobialSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantArginine Aminophosphonobutyric Acid
AntioxidantTartaric Acid
BufferingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
MoisturisingGlycerin
HumectantAmodimethicone
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Arginine
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventIsohexadecane
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Propylene Glycol Dioleate, Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone, Gamma-Docosalactone, Phytantriol, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Tripropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Fullerenes, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Arginine Aminophosphonobutyric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Squalane, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyquaternium-61, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Tocopherol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Arginine, Malic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Isohexadecane, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineArginine Aminophosphonobutyric Acid is an antioxidant.
We don't have a description for Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate yet.
Butylene 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeWe don't have a description for Gamma-Docosalactone yet.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone yet.
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWe don't have a description for PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate yet.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-61 yet.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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