What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Vinyldimethicone
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzyl Glycol
SolventSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Laurate
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Propanediol, Betaine, Cetearyl Olivate, Vinyldimethicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isopropyl Myristate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Panthenol, Octyldodecanol, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Glycine, Arginine, Histidine, Serine, Tocopherol, Benzyl Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cholesterol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sucrose Laurate, Beeswax, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Trihydroxystearin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantEscin
TonicTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetic Acid
BufferingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylamide
Cellulose
Absorbent
Silica
Abrasive
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Mannose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, CI 77891, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Mica, Escin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Lactobacillus, Madecassoside, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Faex Extract, Acetic Acid, Caffeine, Arginine, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylamide, Cellulose, Silica, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Maltodextrin, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Mannose, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Laureth-7, C13-14 Isoparaffin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineArginine 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 ArginineCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient鈥檚 final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.聽
It鈥檚 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 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 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
