What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-51
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-5 Norisoleucyl Sh-Nonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyvinyl Alcohol
Propanediol
SolventPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSqualane
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dimethicone, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglutamic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Oligopeptide-51, Palmitoyl Sh-Octapeptide-24 Amide, Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-5 Norisoleucyl Sh-Nonapeptide-1, Panthenol, PEG-100 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Water, Xanthan Gum
Acetyl Sh-Heptapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Mea
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycine
BufferingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantLecithin
EmollientMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingAcetyl Sh-Heptapeptide-1, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dimethyl Mea, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Lecithin, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Rosa Centifolia Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Water, Xanthan Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateWater. 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