What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Coral Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Pyracantha Fortuneana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Caproyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Methylpropanediol
SolventAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Malt Extract, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Coral Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sucrose Distearate, Pyracantha Fortuneana Fruit Extract, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caproyl Sphingosine, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Parfum, Tocopherol, Methylpropanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyquaternium-51, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosphingosine, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ng, Allantoin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Squalane, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Iron Oxides, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 TriglycerideCeramide NG is a type of Ceramide. The NG stands for a sphinganine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Ceramide NP
Glycerin (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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
