What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Cetraria Islandica Extract
CleansingMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHimanthalia Elongata Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Himanthalia Elongata Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Phormium Tenax Leaf Water
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Allium Sativum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Luffa Cylindrica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentTocotrienols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhormium Tenax Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Allantoin, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Carnosine, Collagen Extract, Ectoin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Inositol, Squalane, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Octyldodecanol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Allium Sativum Bulb Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Phytosterols, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum
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 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 CopolymerBetaine 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidTocopherol 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 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
