What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Chloride
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycerin, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sclerotium Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Trideceth-9, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantBetaine
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSuccinic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPEG-20
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-60 Almond Glycerides
EmulsifyingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Arginine
MaskingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPlatycarya Strobilacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPsoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Betaine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Succinic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycerin, PEG-20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arginine, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Acer Saccharum Extract, Platycarya Strobilacea Extract, Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Carbomer, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinCaprylyl 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinMethyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.
It is created by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose.
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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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