What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantBetaine
HumectantGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientMentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sponge Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRhizobian Gum
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Trehalose, Betaine, Glycosyl Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hydrolyzed Sponge Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Rhizobian Gum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract 67%
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRhizobian Gum
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Abyssinica Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract 67%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Viola Tricolor Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Rhizobian Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Apium Graveolens Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Commiphora Abyssinica Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
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
Acacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Apium Graveolens Extract is derived from celery. It contains antioxidants such as Ferulic Acid and Caffeic Acid.
Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract is more commonly known as the common mugwort. It has strong antioxidant properties and helps soothe irritation.
Antioxidants protect skin from damage and the signs of aging.
This plant contains the compounds saponins, glycosides, flavanoids, protein, triterpenoids.
The common wugwort has been used in traditional Indian, Chinese, and European medicines to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
Learn more about Artemisia Vulgaris ExtractThis ingredient is also known as Rooibos. It is a caffeine-free plant rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols.
You might know Brassica Oleracea Italica as Broccoli. Broccoli is rich in antioxidants.
Broccoli extract is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. These unstable molecules may damage your skin cells. By helping to stabilize them, antioxidants may help with anti-aging. Beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C are three types of antioxidants found in broccoli.
Broccoli is also rich in fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids.
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract can be extracted from any part of the broccoli plant.
Learn more about Brassica Oleracea Italica ExtractButylene 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCaprylyl 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 GlycolThis extract comes from cucumber. Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and hydrating properties.
They contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
The amino acids found in cucumbers help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle (it's an important part of our skin barrier). This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, this is generally a non-irritating ingredient.
Fun fact: Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.
Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Glycosyl Trehalose yet.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate is a made up of a mixture of sugar alcohols (like sorbitol) and is created by hydrogenating corn, wheat, or potato starch.
It acts as a humectant and draws water to the skin to keep it hydrated. Generally, this is a well-tolerated and non-irritating ingredient.
Laminaria Japonica Extract comes from a kelp more commonly known as 'sweet kelp'. It is commonly eaten in Japan, Korea, and China.
Sweet kelp is a humectant and helps hydrate your skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin.
Studies show Laminaria Japonica has antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging. Kelp also contains magnesium and zinc, making it great for calming inflammation and redness.
Learn more about Laminaria Japonica ExtractPentylene 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 GlycolWe don't have a description for Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract yet.
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract comes from the avocado.
Avocados are rich in fatty acids. About 67% of these fatty acids is made up of oleic acid. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid are also present.
Besides fatty acids, avocados also have B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima Fruit ExtractThis ingredient comes from the needles of the pine tree native to Korea and Japan. It's rich in antioxidant compounds like protocatechuic acid and shikimic acid.
Research on human skin fibroblast cells found that the extract inhibited UVB-induced cytotoxicity and suppressed the enzymes that break down collagen and reduce skin elasticity. This extract also inhibited elastase activity which is relevant for maintaining skin firmness over time.
Studies also show that it has antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur. This is the yeast that causes conditions like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and folliculitis (fungal acne). It also displays anti-inflammatory activity.
On top of all this, all tested fractions of the extract demonstrated significant tyrosinase inhibitory activity comparable to ascorbic acid. This suggests it can play a potential role in fading hyperpigmentation.
Learn more about Pinus Densiflora Leaf ExtractPrunus Mume extract comes from the Asian plum. This plum is AKA 'plum blossom'. Plum blossom has hydrating and antibacterial properties.
Plum Blossoms are rich in nutrients, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C.
A study from 2021 found this ingredient to inhibit melanin production. An animal study found plum blossom to help increase collagen production.
Learn more about Prunus Mume Fruit ExtractWe don't have a description for Rhizobian Gum yet.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTremella Fuciformis Extract comes from the tremella fuciformis mushroom, also known as snow mushroom or white jelly mushroom.
The snow mushroom has moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
Snow mushroom is rich in polysaccharides, giving it moisturizing benefits. As a humectant, snow mushroom helps draw moisture from the air to the skin. Polysaccharides are able to mimic our skin's natural carbohydrates to help the skin retain water.
Snow mushroom has been shown to help with anti-aging due to its antioxidants. It increases the presence of superoxide dismutase in our brain and liver. Superoxide is a by-product of oxygen metabolism. It left unregulated, superoxide causes cell damage. Thus, superoxide dismutase acts as an antioxidant to protect our living cells.
Another study from 2016 showed snow mushroom extract blocks the skin from creating melanin when exposed to UVB. Thus, it may help protect against the signs of aging from sun exposure. However, more studies are needed to confirm this. Another study from 2021 found snow mushroom to protect against UVA damage as well.
This white mushroom is native to Asian countries such as China, Korea, Japan, and Thailand. It is a common ingredient in traditional Chinese cuisine and medicine.
Learn more about Tremella Fuciformis ExtractWater. 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 WaterWe don't have a description for Yucca Schidigera Root Extract yet.