What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Niacinamide 5%
Smoothing
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBorago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Acid
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol 0.1%
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBHA
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Guaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide 5%, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Acid, Tocopherol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Retinol 0.1%, Ceramide NP, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Squalane, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Oleic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, BHA, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Sorbitan Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Phytosterols, Madecassoside, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Cholesterol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Caprylyl Glycol, Guaiazulene, Sucrose Distearate, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hexapeptide-9, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethanolamine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Retinol, Carbomer, Allantoin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinButylene 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 ExtractCarbomer 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 CarbomerCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 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 PanthenolRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolWater. 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
