What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Milk Protein Extract
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningUsnea Barbata Extract
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingNelumbo Nucifera Flower Water
TonicOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
Tonic1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialOriganum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlutathione
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingMilk Protein Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Water, Niacinamide, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Adenosine, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Ceramide NP, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Panthenol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Biotin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Propylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glutathione, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hydroxycitronellal
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingSqualene
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Eos
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-25
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingBehenic Acid
CleansingLactic Acid
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sorbitan Stearate, Triheptanoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Oryza Sativa Starch, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Squalene, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Sucrose Cocoate, Ceteareth-25, Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Beta-Sitosterol, Behenic Acid, Lactic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ExtractCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateTocopherol 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