What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Monascus/Rice Ferment
Antioxidant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Aspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Behenyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Aspergillus Ferment, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Velvet Extract
HumectantPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Tenuissima Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPlatycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract
Antioxidant
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSchizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Morus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Typha Angustifolia Spike Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract
AntimicrobialAtractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantHexyl Laurate
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methicone
Emollient
Alumina
Abrasive
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingBehenic Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalane
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sorbitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Velvet Extract, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl Phosphate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Typha Angustifolia Spike Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Hexyl Laurate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methicone, Alumina, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Behenic Acid, Myristic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C14-22 Alcohols, Squalane, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethanolamine, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Sorbitol, Lecithin, Polysorbate 80, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Mica, CI 77491, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trisodium EDTA, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCamellia 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 CarbomerDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UV-A absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm).
DHHB is well-liked for:
DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%. Unfortunately, it has not been approved for use in the US or Canada due to slow regulatory processes.
This ingredient is soluble in oils, fats, and lipids.
Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateGlycerin (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 GlycerinGinseng root is a well-loved ingredient in Asian skincare for good reason. It hydrates the skin, soothes irritation, and helps even out skin tone.
In traditional East Asian medicine, ginseng has been used for centuries both as food and as a healing remedy, and modern research continues to confirm its skin benefits.
One of the standout features of ginseng is its ability to improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin, bringing a fresh supply of nutrients to support overall skin health. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to protect your skin against damage from UV exposure, pollution, and daily stress.
Additionally, studies suggest that ginseng may help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin production.
There are different types of ginseng used in skincare, and while they all share core benefits, their potency can vary.
Most products use fresh or white ginseng because it’s more affordable. However, red ginseng, produced by steaming the root, contains higher levels of ginsenosides, which are compounds with proven anti-aging effects. These ginsenosides help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.
Note: All forms of ginseng are listed simply as “Panax ginseng” in ingredient lists. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about which type of ginseng is used in their ingredients.
For general antioxidant benefits, any ginseng extract will do, but for wrinkle care or firmer skin, red or fermented ginseng is often more effective.
In short, ginseng is a powerhouse ingredient that supports hydration, radiance, and resilience.
Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root ExtractTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine 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 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
