What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGlucose
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Methyl Trimethicone, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Squalane, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, C14-22 Alcohols, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Linalool, Limonene, Glucose, Ceramide NP, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHovenia Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEscin
TonicMenthyl Lactate
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Hovenia Dulcis Fruit Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Escin, Menthyl Lactate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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