What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-5
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSucrose
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Beeswax, Betaine, Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sorbitan Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Triethanolamine, Stearic Acid, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Adenosine, Benzophenone-5, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sucrose, Cyclomethicone, CI 19140, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNylon-12
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium EDTA
Malachite Extract
AntioxidantSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantBambusa Arundinacea Sap Extract
EmollientBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAnthriscus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Vine Sap
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nylon-12, Panthenol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trehalose, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Trisodium EDTA, Malachite Extract, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Bambusa Arundinacea Sap Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Anthriscus Sylvestris Extract, Madecassoside, Vitis Vinifera Vine Sap, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 CarbomerCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Water. 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