What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Glycerin
Humectant
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Dihydroxyisopropyl Capryloylcaprylamide
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Poria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Serine
Masking
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingMyristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Hexapeptide-2 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Dihydroxyisopropyl Capryloylcaprylamide, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Sucrose Cocoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Serine, Phytosterols, Alanine, Glycine, Trideceth-6, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Biotinoyl Hexapeptide-2 Amide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Stearate
CleansingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningMatrixyl 3000
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Euphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialHelichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Oil
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycolic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Squalane, Lactic Acid, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Stearate, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Matrixyl 3000, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Carbomer, Arginine, Beeswax, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thioctic Acid, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytic Acid, Phospholipids, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Pantothenic Acid, Arnica Montana Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Camellia 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 TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis ingredient is also known as sea fennel. It is a coastal plant extract with plant compounds like chlorogenic acid. This plant contains both "water" and "oil" parts.
One small human study (12 people over the age of 50) found formulas containing sea fennel biomass showed faster recovery of barrier function / TEWL after the barrier was deliberately disrupted.
A 2025 paper reported improved markers of regeneration in a UV-weakened full-thickness skin model using both water and oil parts. Markers include thicker epidermis, higher loricrin, and more collagen-related signals compared to an oil-only extract.
Broader phytochemical reviews describe antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in experimental models.
The plant's essential oil side can contain fragrant terpenes that can irritate sensitive skin, but many skincare formulas focus more on antioxidants like chlorogenic acid.
Learn more about Crithmum Maritimum 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated Vegetable Oil is created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to give it more stability. This process also raises the melting point of vegetable oil. In cosmetics, it is an emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
The term "Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil" is an umbrella term and can refer to a variety of vegetable oils and blends of: sunflower oil, soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and more.
Due to the differences in vegetables, the benefits may vary.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Vegetable OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateVitis Vinifera Seed Oil comes from the grape vine. Grape seeds are a byproduct of creating grape juice or wine.
The components of grape seeds have many skin benefits. Research has found it to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Proanthocyanidin has been shown to help even out skin tone.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. Grape seed extract may help reduce the signs of aging.
The antimicrobial properties of grape seed may help treat acne. However, more research is needed to support this claim.
Grape seed has also been found to help absorb UV rays. Grape seed extract should not replace your sunscreen.
The fatty acids of grape seed oil give it emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften your skin by creating a film. This film traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Seed OilWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
