What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantSalmon Egg Extract
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPalmitic Acid
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Water, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Dna, Madecassoside, Salmon Egg Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Maltodextrin, Dextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Betaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventIsopentyldiol
HumectantSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantSalmon Egg Extract
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingMethylglucamine
Potassium Benzoate
PreservativeC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Coco-Betaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Dna, Madecassoside, Salmon Egg Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Maltodextrin, Dextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Methylglucamine, Potassium Benzoate, C12-14 Alketh-12, Parfum, 1,2-Hexanediol
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
Red onion extract? This ingredient not only benefits our diet but also offers numerous benefits for the skin.
Like many other plant extracts, red onion is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients. The red color of the onion comes from its high anthocyanin content - and anthocyanin is a potent antioxidant.
Besides being rich in antioxidants, red onions also contain sulfur, sugars, Vitamin C, and biotin.
A study from 2018 found onion extract to be just as effective as healing surgical scars as traditional silicone gel.
Another study from 2008 showed using this ingredient helped reduce surgical scar texture, redness, and overall appearance in 60 patients.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient can help with the following:
Another manufacturer from Spain claims onion extract can inhibit the release of allergy hormones and prostaglandin, or lipids found near tissue damage and infection spots.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Allium Cepa Bulb ExtractButylene 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 Water is also known as green tea hydrosol. It is the water leftover from steeping or steam-distilling tea.
It's mostly in cosmetics to lend a light tea scent and gentle refreshing feel (tonic) rather than acting as an active.
Unlike the extract, this ingredient only carries trace amounts of catechins, amino acids, and caffeine that makes tea leaf extract famous.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf WaterCentella Asiatica Leaf Water is created by distilling centella asiatica leaves. Centella Asiatica is a herb native to Southeast Asia.
Many active components found in Centella Asiatica Extract, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Other components of Centella Asiatic Extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica Leaf WaterCoptis Japonica Root Extract, also known as Japanese Goldthread, is a traditional East Asian herb. It is prized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.
Thatâs not all - research in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that its active compound, berberine, may help reduce fat accumulation and slow down fat cell development.
This makes it a promising ingredient for slimming and anti-cellulite products!
Learn more about Coptis Japonica Root 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 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosideMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumPentylene 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 GlycolPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract comes from the avocado.
Avocados are rich in fatty acids. About 67% of these fatty acids is made up of oleic acid. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid are also present.
Besides fatty acids, avocados also have B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima Fruit ExtractThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolSalmon egg extract is a marine-derived ingredient that comes from, well, salmon eggs.
At this time, the official CosIng database has not reported any functions or properties for this ingredient.
We do know that this ingredient is packed with proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, vitamins, minerals, and the powerful antioxidant, Astaxanthin.
In vitro studies show that this ingredient boosts collagen type I production and activates several important antioxidant genes. And the more extract used, the stronger the effect too.
A randomized clinical trial with 66 volunteers tested it at 1% and 5% concentrations for almost two months and found significant improvements in skin aging and overall skin health.
This ingredient is sometimes listed as Salmo Ovum Extract.
Learn more about Salmon Egg ExtractThis ingredient is also called milk thistle seed extract.
Sodium DNA is an emerging anti-aging ingredient.
It is created by taking deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and purifying it with sodium hydroxide.
The DNA is extracted from several different animal sources, including: calf thymus, the gonadic tissue of a male sturgeon, or herring / salmon sperm.
You have probably seen this ingredient in anti-aging skincare. But what is it?
DNA is composed of nucleotides, or chemical building blocks. Nucleotides include adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Talk about a flashback to biology! Nucleosides are formed from these nucleotides.
The science behind Sodium DNA is based on an ingredient called Polydeoxyribonucleotide or PDRN.
PDRN are DNA fragments mainly extracted from the sperm cells of trout or salmon. Meaning, PDRN can be derived from Sodium DNA.
PDRN consists of chains of nucleotides and nucleosides mentioned above. They can range anywhere from 80 - 2000 pairs.
Studies show PDRN has the following properties:
Most of the research on PDRN has been done using injectable forms. Thatâs important, because PDRN is a large molecule and doesnât absorb well through the skin. So if youâre applying it topically, the effects are likely to be much milder.
Still, topical Sodium DNA is emerging as a trendy anti-aging ingredient. Itâs generally well-tolerated and offers good biocompatibility with human skin, making it a low-risk addition to most routines.
Further studies are needed to truly confirm this ingredients anti-aging ability (Remember, retinol has decades of research!).
Sodium DNA may be sourced from fish, animal tissue, or plants. Since this isnât always disclosed, we recommend asking the brand directly if the ingredientâs origin is important to you.
Learn more about Sodium DnaThis ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree.
Cacao seeds contain antioxidants known as polyphenols. These include flavonoids, procyanidins, and epicatechins.
Studies show these polyphenols help improve skin health.
The more famous ingredient from cocoa tree is cocoa butter.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao ExtractWater. 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