What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Amboinense Extract
HumectantRosa Rugosa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientPhytol
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLecithin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBatyl Alcohol
EmollientIsomalt
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantSodium Phosphate
BufferingBis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDipalmitoyl Glycerophosphocholine
Skin ConditioningDicetyl Dipeptide-9
Cholesterol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientDistearyl PEG-18 Formoyl Glutamate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientArginine
MaskingPhytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Pentylene Glycol, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Ganoderma Amboinense Extract, Rosa Rugosa Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Phytol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Yeast Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Behenyl Alcohol, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Batyl Alcohol, Isomalt, Sorbitol, Sodium Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dipalmitoyl Glycerophosphocholine, Dicetyl Dipeptide-9, Cholesterol, Palmitic Acid, Distearyl PEG-18 Formoyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arginine, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Centella Asiatica Extract 70.78%
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCoral Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Elegans Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingFructan
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Flower Extract
Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientLactobionic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Mentha Piperita Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract 70.78%, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Coral Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Elegans Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Fructan, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Flower Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Betaine, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Adenosine, Ceramide NP, Oleanolic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactobionic Acid, Citric Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Disodium EDTA, Mentha Piperita Oil, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 ExtractCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCentella 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 ExtractCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It can help reduce irritation and soothe the skin.
Many active components found in centella asiatica, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Research shows centella asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.
The combination of all these properties makes centella asiatica leaf extract effective at soothing the skin.
Other components of centella asiatica leaf extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.
This plant 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 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 GlycerinThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf 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