What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientGlycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycine
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oligopeptide-2, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Glycoproteins, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc Chloride, Phytic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Smilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Swertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Acorus Gramineus Extract
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Biotin, Pentylene Glycol, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Madecassoside, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Acorus Gramineus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aspergillus Ferment
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.
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 preservatives
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 ExtractCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolScutellaria 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 ExtractWater. 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
