This calming essence is formulated around Houttuynia Cordata Extract and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
This calming essence is formulated around Centella Asiatica Extract and Resveratrol to calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Houttuynia Cordata Extract 97.5%
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingSodium Phytate
Dextrin
AbsorbentWater
Skin ConditioningC13-16 Isoparaffin
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-14 Isoparaffin
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Houttuynia Cordata Extract 97.5%, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Tromethamine, Sodium Phytate, Dextrin, Water, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Butylene Glycol, C12-14 Isoparaffin, Pentylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Vinyldimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingDiglycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Fructooligosaccharides
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAgar
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientResveratrol
AntioxidantCollagen
MoisturisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSqualane
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Glycereth-26, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Diglycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octyldodeceth-16, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fructooligosaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Agar, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Resveratrol, Collagen, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Squalane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
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.
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 preservatives
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term '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.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilThis ingredient is also known as neem leaf extract. It contains natural compounds like nimbidin, quercetin, and other polyphenols that give it antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Lab studies have shown neem leaf extract can inhibit acne-related bacteria and help calm skin. Animal studies on wound gels using 1-3% neem leaf extract found it sped up healing without causing irritation.
A wound-healing study testing gels with the extract at 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations and found none of them irritated the skin.
Most commercial products also use it in a similar low range (typically under 5%).
Allergy-wise, there are some case reports on neem oil causing allergic contact dermatitis so people with plant/botanical sensitivities may want to patch test first.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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