What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTapioca Starch
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlanyl Glutamine
HumectantArginine
MaskingOligopeptide-177
Phenylalanine
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tapioca Starch, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Propanediol, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Sodium Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Potassium Sorbate, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantJojoba Esters
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningInula Helenium Extract
MaskingJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Methylesculetin Acetate
Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningSteareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Carbonate
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialWater, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Persea Gratissima Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bacillus Ferment, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Inula Helenium Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Superoxide Dismutase, Glycine Soja Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Methylesculetin Acetate, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Yeast Extract, Ubiquinone, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Chrysin, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Squalane, Troxerutin, Tocopherol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77491, CI 77891, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Steareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Biotin, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Potassium 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 PropanediolChances 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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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