What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasivePEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientPEG-10 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Powder
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCoral Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, C13-15 Alkane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Water, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Coral Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycolic Acid, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
EmollientPEG-10 Isostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
MaskingMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningPolydiethyleneglycol Adipate/Ipdi Copolymer
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Acrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Water, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Zea Mays Oil, Beta-Carotene, Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/Ipdi Copolymer, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer, Tocopherol
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
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 ExtractThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient ester. It comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate is an emollient that adds a velvety feel to skin without being greasy or oily. Emollients help trap moisture into your skin, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPEG-10 Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate comes from Isostearic Acid and glycerin.
It is an emollient, emulsifier, and gentle cleanser. As an emollient, it helps trap moisture to keep skin soft and hydrated. Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating.
This ingredient is common in oil-based products. This is because it helps oil-ingredients be easily washed away without leaving a residue.
Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-20 Glyceryl TriisostearateSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl 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 Water