What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-10
HumectantBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Durvillaea Antarctica Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pearl Extract
Antioxidant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water
TonicPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glutathione
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Methylpropanediol, CI 77891, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Polyglycerin-10, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Parfum, Allantoin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Tripeptide-1, Durvillaea Antarctica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pearl Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica, Alumina, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glutathione, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopherol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sucrose
Humectant
Water, Propanediol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sucrose
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
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 ExtractCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 PropanediolWater. 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
