What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract
CleansingCodonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHovenia Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Kobus Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBetaine
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialThuja Orientalis Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Hovenia Dulcis Fruit Extract, Magnolia Kobus Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Phytosterols, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Panthenol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Xanthan Gum, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingSqualane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingEctoin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobionic Acid, Tromethamine, Squalane, Caprylyl Methicone, Carbomer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Oleate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Ectoin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, BHT, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
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 GlycolThis ingredient comes from the cinnamon tree native to southern China.
Though cinnamon has a wonderful taste, it can cause skin irritation due to its rich coumarins, cinnamaldehyde, and styrene content.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinThis 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 ExtractSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark 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 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