What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventTrehalose
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCitrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantErgothioneine
AntioxidantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPEG-8
HumectantPPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantParfum
MaskingTrisodium Hedta
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Trehalose, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Yeast Extract, Algae Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Butylene Glycol, Ergothioneine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, PEG-8, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Citric Acid, Sodium PCA, Parfum, Trisodium Hedta, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Propanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPaeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPolygonum Hydropiper Extract
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientDendrobium Nobile Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Allantoin, Carbomer, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Polygonum Hydropiper Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Hibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Dendrobium Nobile Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGinseng root is a well-loved ingredient in Asian skincare for good reason. It hydrates the skin, soothes irritation, and helps even out skin tone.
In traditional East Asian medicine, ginseng has been used for centuries both as food and as a healing remedy, and modern research continues to confirm its skin benefits.
One of the standout features of ginseng is its ability to improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin, bringing a fresh supply of nutrients to support overall skin health. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to protect your skin against damage from UV exposure, pollution, and daily stress.
Additionally, studies suggest that ginseng may help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin production.
There are different types of ginseng used in skincare, and while they all share core benefits, their potency can vary.
Most products use fresh or white ginseng because it’s more affordable. However, red ginseng, produced by steaming the root, contains higher levels of ginsenosides, which are compounds with proven anti-aging effects. These ginsenosides help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.
Note: All forms of ginseng are listed simply as “Panax ginseng” in ingredient lists. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about which type of ginseng is used in their ingredients.
For general antioxidant benefits, any ginseng extract will do, but for wrinkle care or firmer skin, red or fermented ginseng is often more effective.
In short, ginseng is a powerhouse ingredient that supports hydration, radiance, and resilience.
Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root ExtractParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water