What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Steareth-21
CleansingNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentSalicylic Acid
Masking
Pouteria Lucuma Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Steareth-21, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Pouteria Lucuma Pulp Extract, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Coco-Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Cocamide Mea, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Angelica Gigas Root Extract yet.
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 ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient comes from the leaves of the lotus plant. It has skin conditioning properties.
Research shows lotus leaf contains antioxidants that help protect skin from things like UV exposure and pollution. In animal studies, this ingredient has been shown to help calm inflammation and reduce excess melanin production.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract yet.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
