What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitol
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientJuniperus Virginiana Wood Extract
Perfuming
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Symphytum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButter Extract
Emollient
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Coffea Arabica Leaf/Seed Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
Emulsifying
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Soybean Peroxidase
Antioxidant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sorbitol, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oryza Sativa Extract, Panthenol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amyl Cinnamal, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Wood Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Limonene, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Butter Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica Leaf/Seed Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Soybean Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Xylitol
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Powder
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTapioca Starch
Mucor Miehei Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCitronellol
Perfuming
Polyquaternium-7
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGeraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Silica
Abrasive
CI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingAlgin
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Glycerin, Cellulose, Propanediol, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Xylitol, Kaolin, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Powder, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, CI 77891, Tapioca Starch, Mucor Miehei Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Limonene, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citronellol, Polyquaternium-7, Decyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, CI 77492, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, Geraniol, Linalool, Silica, CI 77007, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Algin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Hydroxide
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 ExtractCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineDecyl Glucoside is a plant-derived surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Like all surfactants, it works by lowering the surface tension between water and oil. This makes it so that dirt, sebum, and makeup can be lifted off your skin and rinsed away. It also produces a dense and creamy foam.
Because it has a neutral charge, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and stays stable across a broad pH range/water hardiness conditions.
Patch testing has shown it to have the lowest irritation potential among common cleansing surfactants (like SLS).
Typical use levels range from 5-20% in rinse-off cleansers.
One thing worth knowing: The American Contact Dermatitis Society named the parent family, alkyl glucosides, "Allergen of the Year" in 2017. The prevalence of allergy is pretty low but be sure to patch test if you've reacted to "gentle" or sulfate-free cleansers before.
This ingredient is fungal acne safe because the fatty alcohol portion of this ingredient is below the C11-24 chain length that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
