What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingIsostearamide Mipa
SurfactantParfum
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantInulin
Skin ConditioningWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientArginine
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Isostearamide Mipa, Parfum, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Inulin, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Laurate, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Caramel, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCentella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles
Hericium Erinaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialInulin
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Acuminata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBenzoic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glyceryl Oleate, Coco-Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Callus Extracellular Vesicles, Hericium Erinaceum Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inulin, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Fructose, Allantoin, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Musa Acuminata Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Sodium Citrate, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Triethyl Citrate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene
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 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 AcidCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineGlycerin (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 GlycerinInulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.
The majority of inulin is extracted from chicory, but can also be obtained from other plants such as garlic, onion, asparagus, and sugarcane.
Studies show inulin may help with controlling your skin's natural microbiota when applied topically.
The antioxidant potential of inulin varies depending on the source.
Learn more about InulinParfum 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 ParfumPotassium 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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a surfactant that helps water and oil mix so that dirt, sweat, sebum, and sunscreen can rinse away easily. It's not technically a sulfate, but behaves similarly in formulas.
What it does:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a strong cleansing surfactant and is much stronger than many mild cleansers. Because it works deeply, it can disrupt the skin's barrier. This can lead to dryness or irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Compared to gentler surfactants, it's effective but more likely to dry or irritate if not balanced with soothing ingredients.
CIR considers sodium α-olefin sulfonates (including C14-16) to be safe for use in rinse-off products when properly formulated. It is poorly absorbed through normal skin but absorption increases if the skin barrier is already damaged.
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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