What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Methicone Copolymer
Hexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialArbutin
AntioxidantAzelaic Acid
BufferingSucrose Palmitate
EmollientPueraria Tuberosa Leaf Cell Extract
AntioxidantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingRumex Occidentalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Hexylresorcinol, Arbutin, Azelaic Acid, Sucrose Palmitate, Pueraria Tuberosa Leaf Cell Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Corallina Officinalis, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Rumex Occidentalis Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Squalane
EmollientSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingBetaine
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarnosine
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingErgothioneine
AntioxidantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantLactoferrin
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMannitol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Squalane, Sodium Ascorbate, Ubiquinone, Ectoin, Physalis Angulata Extract, Betaine, Phosphatidylcholine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carnosine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ergothioneine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Lactoferrin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Mannitol, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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