What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventIsopentyldiol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCalamine
AbsorbentDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycereth-26
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantCI 77004
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Chloride
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Dextrin
AbsorbentDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Isopentyldiol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Collagen Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Xylitol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Calamine, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Glycereth-26, Hydroxyethyl Urea, CI 77004, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Allantoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glucomannan, Panthenol, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Chloride, Octyldodeceth-16, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Dextrin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNylon-12
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium EDTA
Malachite Extract
AntioxidantSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantBambusa Arundinacea Sap Extract
EmollientBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAnthriscus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Vine Sap
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nylon-12, Panthenol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trehalose, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Trisodium EDTA, Malachite Extract, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Bambusa Arundinacea Sap Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Anthriscus Sylvestris Extract, Madecassoside, Vitis Vinifera Vine Sap, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene 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 ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract comes from the Japanese Knotweed plant native to Japan, Korea, and China.
This plant contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It contains high amounts of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant.
The root of the plant has been used in traditional folk medicine throughout Asia.
Learn more about Polygonum Cuspidatum Root ExtractPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 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