What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Amylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientBrassica Campestris Sprout Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract
AstringentHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentAngelica Archangelica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Potassium Cocoate, PEG-150 Distearate, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Sodium PCA, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Chlorphenesin, Hyaluronic Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Menthyl Lactate, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Propanediol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Angelica Archangelica Seed Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium C14-18 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLactic Acid
Buffering
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Sulfate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium C14-18 Olefin Sulfonate, Lactic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-150 Distearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Arginine, Sodium PCA, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinPeg-150 Distearate is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It is created from stearic acid.
As an emulsifier, peg-150 distearate helps other ingredients dissolve. This helps prevent ingredient separation.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 DistearatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Water. 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
