What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantArtemisia Montana Leaf Powder 2.1%
Exfoliating1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentMethylpropanediol
SolventLigularia Fishceri Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Davurica Bud Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Artemisia Montana Leaf Powder 2.1%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Methylpropanediol, Ligularia Fishceri Leaf Extract, Rosa Davurica Bud Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Arginine, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveBentonite
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCanadian Colloidal Clay
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingMontmorillonite
AbsorbentIllite
AbrasiveGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCorylus Avellana Seed Oil
EmollientGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingSqualane
EmollientMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientBetaine
HumectantPropanediol
SolventScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentMenthol
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
MaskingOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAcanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningOldenlandia Diffusa Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Extract
AstringentLimonia Acidissima Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHalimeda Opuntia Extract
EmollientDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantWater, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Canadian Colloidal Clay, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Montmorillonite, Illite, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Glycosyl Trehalose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Squalane, Menthoxypropanediol, Isoamyl Laurate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Betaine, Propanediol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Menthol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Algae Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oldenlandia Diffusa Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Extract, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Halimeda Opuntia Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract
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.
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
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 ExtractCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract comes from the Japanese Knotweed plant native to Japan, Korea, and China.
This plant contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It contains high amounts of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant.
The root of the plant has been used in traditional folk medicine throughout Asia.
Learn more about Polygonum Cuspidatum Root ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root 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