What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Surfactant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
EmollientOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Artemisia Vulgaris Oil
Perfuming
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Surfactant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lysozyme
Skin ConditioningProtease
Exfoliating
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Mannitol
Humectant
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Coco-Glucoside, Propanediol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Coco-Betaine, Potassium Cocoate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Althaea Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Salicylic Acid, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lysozyme, Protease, Butylene Glycol, Mannitol, Bromelain, Tropolone, Papain, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Surfactant
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Tromethamine
BufferingPotassium Benzoate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 0.4%
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Coco-Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Potassium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic Acid 0.4%, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Coco-Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycolic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Madecassoside
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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.
That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.
These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.
Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.
Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.
Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:
So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.
Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:
Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.
Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.
It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.
On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.
Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.
But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.
Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).
The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).
In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.
Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.
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 ExtractCoco-Betaine is the natural version of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. It is often derived from coconuts.
Coco-Betaine is a surfactant, meaning it helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Coco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is an essential oil also known as rosemary essential oil. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning agent and also acts as a natural fragrance that gives products a fresh/herby smell.
The oil is a mix of over 100 volatile compounds with 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and verbenone usually leading the pack.
Lab studies credit this oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Some research even show rosemary compounds calming acne-related inflammation.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Since this is a fragrant essential oil, the main concern is for fragrance-sensitive folks.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilSalicylic 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, it’s 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 AcidChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideThis ingredient is a surfactant and foam producer.
Tromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
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 Water
