What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentHypochlorous Acid
Antiseborrhoeic
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Copper PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
Humectant
Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningVerbascum Thapsus Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract
AstringentSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Propanediol, Panthenol, Gluconolactone, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Hypochlorous Acid, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Magnesium PCA, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Musa Sapientum Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Water, Verbascum Thapsus Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Menthoxypropanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Copper Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Erythritol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pinus Densiflora Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polylysine
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Fomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Erythritol, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Bark Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Zinc PCA, Lactobacillus Ferment, Allantoin, Polylysine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractButylene 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 ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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 WaterZinc PCA is a clever two-in-one molecule: the zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA).
Think of it as two useful things bonded together; the PCA half is one of your skin's own natural moisturizing factors (NMF) so it helps hold water in the upper layers. On the other hand, the zinc half does the heavy lifting on oil and bacteria.
The zinc part slows down an enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT, the hormone that tells your oil glands to pump out more sebum. Less of that signal means less oil. It also gently fights acne-causing bacteria and soothes redness/irritation.
This is why Zinc PCA often shows up in products for oily, breakout-prone skin and greasy scalps.
One lab study also hinted it might have a small anti-aging perk because it seemed to protect collagen from UVA damage and even helped the skin make a bit more of it. That last bit is still early research done in a dish and not real skin, so take it as a nice bonus rather than a promise for now.
As for scar healing, the picture is more "maybe" than a firm yes. Zinc itself plays a real role in wound repair because it is a cofactor for the enzymes involved in collagen building, calming inflammation, and helping new skin cells cover a wound. Lower zinc levels are also linked to slower healing.
Most of the scar healing research is on zinc oxide or oral zinc rather than zinc PCA specifically, with a focus on healing fresh wounds instead of scars that are already there.
Direct evidence that zinc PCA improves the look of established scars is still limited at this time. Though it would be fair to say zinc PCA supports the general skin-repair environment thanks to its zinc content .
This ingredient is water-soluble and plays nicely with other actives like niacinamide and salicylic acid. It works best at mildly acidic formulas (~4-6 pH) and is effective at low levels. Around 0.1% is enough to be active and finished products commonly use it anywhere up to 4%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-drama multitasker that suits oily and acne-prone skin.
Learn more about Zinc PCA
