What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Glycol Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Dextrin, Asiaticoside
Water
Skin Conditioning(Eclipta Prostrata/Houttuynia Cordata) Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Garnet Powder
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Acrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Saururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Laureth Phosphate
EmulsifyingCoco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingFragaria Indica Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, (Eclipta Prostrata/Houttuynia Cordata) Leaf Extract, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Faex Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Garnet Powder, Glycerin, Betaine, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Laureth Phosphate, Coco-Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Tromethamine, Malt Extract, Fragaria Indica Extract
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
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 ExtractCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium 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 GlycerinLauryl Hydroxysultaine is a mild surfactant or cleansing ingredient that helps lift away dirt/oil, boost foam, and thicken the formula. It plays nicely with other surfactants and stays stable across a wide pH range.
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate is an amino acid-based surfactant and cleaning agent. This ingredient can be derived from animals or plants. It may also be synthetically created from fatty acids of the coconut and glycine.
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate is a gentle surfactant. Surfactants help gather the dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away. It is a mild cleanser and naturally produces foam.
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
