In need of soothing skin care? Look no further than this comprehensive list of cleansers, essences, moisturizers, and sunscreens spiked with allantoin to heal compromised skin.
Soothed, radiant skin. If that’s something you’re constantly searching for, allantoin skin-care products should be on your radar. According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, who previously lent her expertise to Allure, allantoin is an ultra-calming ingredient known for its ability to deeply hydrate skin, guard the skin against inflammation, and even heal minor wounds. Much like other popular soothers like cica, madecassoside, and aloe, the star ingredient is completely gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.
To further speak to allantoin’s benefits and versatility, Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, previously mentioned that she often recommends allantoin-spiked products to patients dealing with irritation and dryness from retinol and glycolic acid. This is because allantoin is a humectant and is able to draw in moisture from its surroundings into the skin, preventing trans-epidermal water loss.
While allantoin has been a mainstay in Korean skin care for years, plenty of brands stateside are following suit and incorporating the sensitive-skin-friendly ingredient into their own formulas. Keep reading for 17 Allure-approved allantoin skin-care products available in a variety of formulations — cleansers, serums, SPFs, oh my — to incorporate this calming protectant into every step of your skin-care routine.
Pat McGrath Labs Divine Skin Rose 001 Essence
Finally — an opportunity to not only drool over Pat McGrath Labs makeup, but skin care as well. Meet the Divine Skin Rose 001 Essence, the perfect in-between step that, depending on your preferences, lies somewhere between cleanser and moisturizers. This ultra-hydrating bi-phase essence (meaning you have to shake the bottle prior to dispensing product) is chock-full of familiar, Allure editor-approved ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, squalane, vitamin E, and ceramides to replenish moisture levels, plump the skin, and fortify the skin barrier. Allantoin, of course, mitigates skin irritation.
“It gave my skin the hydration I desire with a luminescence that can’t be achieved with highlighter alone,” associate news editor Gabi Thorne said in her review. “It’s hydrating enough that I wouldn’t mind forgoing moisturizer and just using the essence with a serum in the summertime.” And how pretty is that pinky hue? A skin-softening softening duo of rosa damascene flower water and rosa centifolia flower extract are to thank, in that case. All in all, we applaud the Dame once more.
Ilia C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40
Much like Ilia’s beloved Super Serum Skin Tint, the C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40 infuses a multitude of skin-care benefits into a complexion product meant to enhance the look of your natural skin. Infused with 10 percent vitamin C and two percent niacinamide to brighten, firm, and refine skin, this fluid-like SPF is much more than a UV shield. Squalane, jojoba seed oil, rice bran extract, and allantoin join the lineup to provide skin with nourishing benefits and a dewy, golden-hour-like finish.
And, in case you’re wondering, we confirmed that the three “shades” are simply present to erase any sort of white cast you might normally experience from a physical blocker like zinc oxide — we can get onboard with that.
SkinCeuticals Advanced Scar Control
Scars can come from so many different facets of life — including but not limited to surgery, burns, scrapes, cuts, and even acne — but, regardless of the source, you’ll need a heavy-hitting product to tackle the oftentimes stubborn discoloration left behind. The alcohol- and fragrance-free SkinCeuticals Advanced Scar Control might just be the answer you’re looking for. Formulated with 95 percent silicones, 0.5 percent allantoin, two percent fatty acids (derived from sunflower seed oil), and one percent silica, this clear scar gel smooths over scar surfaces and nourishes compromised skin.
Good Light New Moon Balm
Need to treat a dry patch, blemish, or razor burn ASAP? Good Light has you covered — or, more specifically, its New Moon Balm does. Spiked with a star-studded team of soothing ingredients like allantoin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and vitamin E, this nourishing, multitasking balm heals irritated skin in a pinch.
It’s also fair game for lips, cuticles, tattoos, and chafed areas. Apply as often as you need to the affected areas (make sure it’s totally clean first) and watch the redness and bumpy texture melt away.
Paula’s Choice 10 Niacinamide Booster
Though niacinamide might be the star ingredient, working overtime to minimize enlarged pores and amp up your complexion’s brightness levels, the show simply can’t go on without allantoin. Within Paula’s Choice 10 Niacinamide Booster, this key ingredient guards skin against sensitivity and external stressors, along with licorice extract. Since it also contains vitamin C — which evens skin tone and post-acne scars — definitely slather on some SPF if you plan to wear it during the daytime. (But, to be clear, SPF is a necessity no matter what you apply beforehand.)
Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
You might not typically associate skin-care acids with calming ingredients like allantoin but Cosrx’s AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is here to dispel that notion. Its 11-ingredient list features a tag team of allantoin and panthenol to rebalance skin after glycolic acid (a type of alpha hydroxy acid), willow bark water, and apple fruit water (both of which are beta hydroxy acids) sweep away dead skin clogging your pores and the surface your skin. A one-two punch to curb breakouts? Sign us up.
SkinMedica Purifying Foaming Wash
Need a cleanser that’s tough enough to dissolve dirt and dead skin? SkinMedica’s Purifying Foaming Wash got your back. Ideal for acne-prone skin, this concoction infuses two percent salicylic acid (one of our favorite beta hydroxy acids or BHA) and tea tree oil (another acne-combating goodie) to provide gentle exfoliation, as well as witch hazel to balance oil production and allantoin to minimize irritation. All you need is two pumps for your whole face, which means this $48 wash will last you quite some time.
Then I Met You The Giving Essence
As far as we’re concerned, skin-care devotees that we are, there are few things more satisfying than patting a few drops of your favorite essence (or toner, serum, you get it) at the end of a tiring day. Then I Met You’s The Giving Essence isn’t just eye candy — though we can’t discount the natural pink hue left behind by the formula’s pore-unclogging red algae and antioxidant-rich black chokeberry — but also a potent treatment that’ll assist in brightening your complexion.
On top of over 80 percent fermented ingredients such as galactomyces ferment filtrate and saccharomyces ferment filtrate (naturally derived from yeast — the good kind) to impede the formation of blackheads and excess sebum, there’s also deeply hydrating polyglutamic acid, brightening ellagic acid. The cherry on top? You guessed it — allantoin.
Skinfix Eczema+ Extra Strength Body Cream
Here’s an interesting fact: allantoin is actually the first ingredient listed in Skinfix’s Eczema+ Extra Strength Body Cream and, therefore, takes center stage in this sensitive-skin-friendly treatment. But also to thank? A combination of two percent colloidal oatmeal and four percent sweet almond oil relieves irritation and itching that could be associated with eczema, dermatitis, or overall dry skin. This all-over cream has just the right amount of richness to hug your skin with a veil of moisture without feeling overly heavy.
P.S. Skinfix’s Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream, a two-time Best of Beauty Award winner, is also spiked with allantoin to heal overworked hands.
EleVen by Venus Williams Game. Set. Match. Body Lotion SPF 50
Following the success of her initial sunscreen launch, Venus Williams is back with another hit that stays true to her inclusive brand ethos. EleVen by Venus Williams’s Game. Set. Match. Body Lotion SPF 50 belongs as much on the tennis court as it does on an errand run. This hardworking water- and sweat-resistant formula is flanked by antioxidant-rich apple fruit extract, nourishing ginger lily extract, brightening mandarin, and calming allantoin that makes your go-to body sunscreen an easy, no-brainer decision.
Peach & Lily The Good Acids Pore Toner
A good toner is priceless when it comes to any skin-care routine. Peach & Lily’s The Good Acids Pore Toner rebalances the pH and oil production of your complexion after your cleansing ritual. Glycolic and salicylic acids mildly exfoliate and refine the appearance of large pores without causing irritation and turmeric diminishes the appearance of dark spots. Not to be forgotten, allantoin and aloe add hydration and soothe redness. Whatever you’re looking for in a toner, you’ve got it in The Good Acids.
Sunday Riley CEO Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream
Vitamin C can pretty much be incorporated into every step of your skin-care routine, if you so choose, as can allantoin. Sunday Riley’s CEO Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream is a yellow-hued moisturizer that contains THD Ascorbate, one of the more shelf-stable forms of vitamin C we know of, that addresses common concerns such as dullness, loss of elasticity, and fine lines. Water-binding sodium hyaluronate and soothing allantoin make this lightweight cream a lovely base for dewy, fresh-faced makeup.
Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming SPF Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen
Wander Beauty Pack Up & Glow Priming SPF Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen might be a doozy of a name, but the concept is simple. It’s a sheer, lightweight sunscreen formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that is slightly tinted to ensure zero white cast and a satiny finish that’ll prep your skin for makeup and, fortunately, won’t make the latter pill.
That’s just the tip of the skin-nourishing iceberg as it’s spiked with antioxidant-rich vitamin D, barrier-boosting squalane and hyaluronic acid, tone-evening plankton, and a soothing duo consisting of bisabolol and allantoin.
Honest Beauty The Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer
Allantoin is already a dependable ingredient for sensitive skin, but with a name like The Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer, Honest Beauty is fully ready to back its claims. Alongside allantoin, you’ll find glycerin, another hero ingredient for dry, stressed skin, as well as moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid so skin feels properly hydrated without needing a thicker moisturizer. Apply SPF the morning and you’re all set.
Curél Japan Deep Moisture Spray
Japanese brand Curél knows how to produce an entirely refreshing product. Picture this: you need a pick-me-up at 3 p.m. on a sleepy Wednesday afternoon. Good thing you have a bottle of the Deep Moisture Spray on your desk because this mist gently coats your complexion in a superfine blanket of glow-inducing ingredients like ceramides and allantoin. It’s mist ‘o clock every hour of the day.
Eve Lom Foaming Cream Cleanser
Cream cleansers offer some of the most indulgent lathers on the market, and Eve Lom’s Foaming Cream Cleanser is no different. Dampen skin and apply this face wash, which is fortified with smoothing pumpkin ferment extract, skin-conditioning babassu oil, moisture-attracting glycerin, and soothing allantoin, for the ultimate wind-down routine. While wash-off products by nature don’t offer the most concentrated effects of any skin-care ingredient, their benefits can’t be overlooked. In fact, this creamy cleanser will motivate you to start and complete your daytime and/or nighttime regime.
Dermalogica Age Smart Super Rich Repair
Dermalogica’s Age Smart Super Rich Repair is a dream for dry skin that’s in need of major replenishment. Formulated with a nourishing combination of firming peptides, anti-inflammatory shea butter, and soothing allantoin, this heavy-hitting cream is the perfect product to use in conjunction with a mini nighttime massage. It’ll seal all of that moisture in for good as you head off to dreamland.