What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHouttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-67
Geranium Maculatum Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Oryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Hyssopus Officinalis Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycerin, Water, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-67, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Butylene Glycol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cellulose
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Powder
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArtemisia Caruifolia Powder
Abrasive
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coconut Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cellulose, Oryza Sativa Powder, Sodium Isethionate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Artemisia Caruifolia Powder, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 ExtractDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient comes from the evergreen flowering plant, gardenia. It has skin conditioning properties.
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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateThis ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal comes from the Sweet Almond tree. This sweet almond seed meal is the residue from expressing almond oil.
As an abrasive, it can help exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractSodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
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 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
