What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingWater, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Carbomer, Glycine Soja Protein, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethanolamine
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Rhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Yeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Mentha Haplocalix Extract
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Albumen
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Histidine
Humectant
Lysine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Yeast Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Mentha Haplocalix Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Albumen, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Histidine, Lysine, Proline, Serine, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Threonine, Valine, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol
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 GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
