What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentOryza Sativa Hull Extract
MoisturisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyurethane-10
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Triheptanoin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Hull Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, C9-12 Alkane, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyurethane-10, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Diheptyl Succinate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Decyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoconut Alkanes
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Coconut Alkanes, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Allantoin, Ectoin, Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate, Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Butylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
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 ExtractCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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