What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Chloride
MaskingGlutathione
Sucrose Distearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingWater, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Cellulose Gum, Parfum, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Fructooligosaccharides, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Glutathione, Sucrose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPyrus Malus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Water
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phytosterols
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Trehalose, Bakuchiol, Adenosine, Lecithin, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Pyrus Malus Leaf Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phytosterols, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Water, Ceramide NP
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineCamellia 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 ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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