What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Artemisia Capillaris Extract 50%
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventAsiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingChrysanthemum Boreale Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Dioscorea Oppositifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, Panthenol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Water, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Artemisia Capillaris Extract 50%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Caffeine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ceramide AP, Methylpropanediol, Asiatic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Limonene, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Dextrin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Mentha Suaveolens Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Malt Extract, Chrysanthemum Boreale Flower Extract, Dioscorea Oppositifolia Root Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Carbomer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Histidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Arginine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Lactococcus Ferment, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gluconolactone, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Valine, Proline, Isoleucine, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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 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 CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateSodium 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
