What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Powder
Exfoliating
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Oryza Sativa Powder
Cellulose
Absorbent
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Parfum
Masking
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Saururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Powder, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coconut Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Oryza Sativa Powder, Cellulose, Sodium Isethionate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Parfum, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Oryza Sativa Powder
Parfum
Masking
Kaolin
Abrasive
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hyssopus Officinalis Extract
MaskingGlycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Coconut Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Oryza Sativa Powder, Parfum, Kaolin, Sodium Isethionate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hyssopus Officinalis 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
Camellia 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 ExtractCoconut acid is a mixture of fatty acids obtains by hydrolyzing coconut oil and then distilling the fatty acid portion. It works as a cleansing surfactant, emollient, and emulsifier depending on the formulation.
This ingredient is not a single compound but reflects the fatty acid profile of coconut oil itself, which is about 90% saturated. The dominant fatty acid is lauric acid (44-54%) and then myristic acid (13-19%). There are small amount of caprylic, capric, palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
Human testing from CIR has shown no indication this ingredient to be a primary irritant, sensitizer, or phototoxic compound. It's also COSMOS-approved for natural and organic products.
Due to the high fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coconut AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient comes from the evergreen flowering plant, gardenia. It has skin conditioning properties.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate is a modified starch used to help thicken a product.
It is also used in foods.
Oryza Sativa Powder is created by grinding dried seeds of rice, Oryza Sativa.
It is used to add volume and increase the thickness of a product. This ingredient may also have mildly exfoliating properties.
Rice contains numerous antioxidants which may help with anti-aging, such as vitamin E.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa PowderParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
This ingredient hasn’t been shown in studies to feed fungal acne yeast.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateWe don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate yet.
This gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient is known for leaving a smooth feeling in skin and hair. It is made using coconut oil.
According to the manufacturer, it is soluble in water and has resistance to hard water, acid, and alkali.
Due to its coconut base, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
