What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1
Humectant
Bacopa Monnieri Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Sr-Hydrozoan Polypeptide-1, Bacopa Monnieri Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Biotin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, Arginine, Glycine, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phytic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 77491, CI 77492, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Glycine
Buffering
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialApigenin
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Citric Acid
Buffering
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caffeine, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Gluconolactone, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zinc Chloride, Apigenin, Tocopherol, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine 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 ArginineButylene 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 ExtractCitric 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 GlycerinGlycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if 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.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
Larix Europaea is a larch tree native to Europe.
It’s one of the key ingredients in Redensyl, an alternative to Minoxidil for hair growth. Redensyl works by targeting stem cells and fibroblasts from the top, inner layer of your skin.
The bark of Larix Europaea is rich in antioxidants and plant compounds such as flavonoids, spiro-polyphenols, and procyanidins.
Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in many plantsand foods like tea, wine, and chocolate. They’re known for their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Larix Europaea Wood ExtractPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Water. 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 WaterZinc chloride is a white crystalline compound. You'll most likely see it in personal care products such as mouthwashes, skincare, hair conditioners, and bath products.
