What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDryopteris Crassirhizoma Extract
Skin ConditioningCuscuta Australis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingMannan
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSalix Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningRhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dryopteris Crassirhizoma Extract, Cuscuta Australis Seed Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Mannan, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta-Glucan, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSalix Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningRhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glycerin, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Salix Alba Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta-Glucan, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Citronellol, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanBrassica Campestris Extract is extract from the field mustard plant. This plant is classified as a cabbage.
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract comes from the shell of the chestnut.
Studies show chestnut shells to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidants protect your skin against damaging molecules. This may help reduce the signs of aging.
Learn more about Castanea Crenata Shell 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 ExtractThis botanical extract is also known as horsetail extract. It mainly acts as an emollient, skin soother, and astringent.
A study from 2023 found compounds in Equisetum Arvense showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in irritated keratinocytes (the main cell in your outermost layer of skin).
Another study using a cream with horsetail and soybean extract found 80% of participants showed at least a 26% improvement in forehead wrinkles after 8 weeks.
Animal research has shown topical Equisetum Arvense stimulated skin and tissue growth in mice.
The research so far is encouraging, but still in its early days. But it's a lovely supporting ingredient and can be a welcome addition to any routine.
Learn more about Equisetum Arvense 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
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.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractOlive tree leaves contain more antioxidants than olive fruit.
This is due to its rich flavonoid and polyphenol content. However, the antioxidant content varies depending on plant variety, harvesting method, leaf maturity, and extraction method.
This ingredient also has a natural fragrance. Read more about fragrance in cosmetics here.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Leaf ExtractPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract comes Peony plant. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Emerging studies also show peony root may help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Ancient Chinese medicine has used peony root to treat dark spots, but studies are looking into this claim more.
Learn more about Paeonia Suffruticosa Root ExtractWe don't have a description for Rhus Semialata Gall Extract yet.
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil is an essential oil made from the Damask Rose. It is often used as a fragrance in cosmetics.
Rose Oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties due to its terpene, glycoside, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and Vitamin C content.
Other major parts of Rose Oil include citronellol and geraniol. Both of these are known EU allergens and cause contact-allergies.
The downsides of this ingredient outweight the positives.
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower OilWe don't have a description for Salix Alba Leaf Extract yet.
Scutellaria 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