What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingTotarol
AntioxidantThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingPrunus Mume Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Octyldodeceth-16, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Pentylene Glycol, Gold, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Totarol, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Prunus Mume Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlgin
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTotarol
AntioxidantPearl Extract
AntioxidantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Algin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Totarol, Pearl Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
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 GlycolCentella 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 ExtractDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
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.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Tea Leaf extract contains antimicrobial and anti-acne properties.
This ingredient has perfuming properties and contains linalool and limonene. These fragrance and terpinen components can cause skin sensitivity.
Learn more about the benefits of Tea Tree Oil here.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf ExtractPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.
As an emulsifier, it is used to bind ingredients together. Many ingredients, such as oils and water, separate naturally. Emulsifiers prevent them from separating to ensure even consistency in texture.
One of the manufacturer for this ingredient states it is vegetable-based. It is also claimed to be stable at both high and low temperatures.
This ingredient may not be safe for fungal acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearateThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractTotarol is an antioxidant.
Water. 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