What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolydecene
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAmber Powder
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAgar
MaskingSodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydrochloric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Water, Betaine, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Tromethamine, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Agar, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Asiaticoside, Dextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Hydrochloric Acid, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyldimethicone
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Oil
PerfumingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlucose
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Dimethiconol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Vinyldimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glucose, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethiconol, Tromethamine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Carbomer
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinArtemisia Vulgaris Oil is a fragrance and is an oil.
Borago Officinalis Extract is often synonymous with Borago Officinalis Seed Oil. It comes from the seeds of the starflower plant. This plant grows primarily in Europe.
This oil does not have a scent. It contains fatty acids such as linolenic acid. These fatty acids help keep skin hydrated.
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Learn more about Borago Officinalis 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCentaurea Cyanus Flower extract comes from the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus. The cornflower is native to Europe.
Cornflowers contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains high amounts of anxiotidants such as Vitamin C. They also contain flavonoids and anthocyanins.
Folk medicine in European cultures used cornflowers to help treat eye inflammation.
Fun fact: Cornflowers were used to determine if love was returned. Young men would wear cornflowers and if the color faded quickly, it meant the love was not reciprocated.
Learn more about Centaurea Cyanus Flower ExtractCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It can help reduce irritation and soothe the skin.
Many active components found in centella asiatica, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Research shows centella asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.
The combination of all these properties makes centella asiatica leaf extract effective at soothing the skin.
Other components of centella asiatica leaf extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.
This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica Leaf ExtractThis ingredient is also known as Hinoki water. It is made by steam distilling the Japanese cypress tree.
Functionally, this ingredient is often used as a water replacement and concentrations can go as high up as 65%; this just means its more-so used to shape the base of a formula than as a star active.
The water carries small amounts of the tree's volatile compounds that give it a soft and woody scent.
Most of the published skin research is related to the essential oil or leaf extract rather than this water form; these cell and mice studies should antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects.
This ingredient only contains a small amount of these beneficial compounds but can still provide some soothing.
The Hinokitiol compound in this water is also antifungal against Malassezia; this can make it a great option for those with fungal acne.
However, those with fragrance sensitivity should patch test.
Fun fact: The Japanese 'Hinoki' Cypress tree is traditionally used to build shrines and temples.
Learn more about Chamaecyparis Obtusa WaterChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient comes from the hyacinth flower.
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water is created by distilling parts of the lavender plant. Lavender flower water is a diluted version of lavender essential oil. It contains linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
This ingredient is also known as basil oil or basil essential oil. It is primarily used to add a fragrance or mask the odor of other ingredients.
The main bioactive compounds in it are linalool and eugenol. These are EU-regulated fragrance allergens; this just means a small percentage of people with existing fragrance sensitivities should patch test.
In-vitro studies have demonstrated activity against acne-causing bacteria.
Learn more about Ocimum Basilicum OilPentylene 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 GlycolSalvia Officinalis Oil is an oil.
We don't have a description for Salvia Sclarea Extract yet.
Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract comes from the Theobroma cacoa, or Cacao tree. Cacao trees are native to tropical landscapes.
Cacao seed extract contains antioxidants known as polyphenols.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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