What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Propanediol, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCarum Petroselinum Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingBrassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract
AstringentMel Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientRosa Alba Leaf Cell Extract
AntioxidantMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caramel, Polyquaternium-51, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Carum Petroselinum Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract, Mel Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Rosa Alba Leaf Cell Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone, Limonene, Parfum
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
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 ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans yet.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPropanediol 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 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 HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerWater. 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