What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Polyester-7
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Xylitol
Humectant
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Ceteareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glucose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Polyester-7, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Xylitol, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Triethanolamine, Decyl Glucoside, Ceteareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Isododecane
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Cyclomethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantBisabolol
Antioxidant
Quartz
Abrasive
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Prunus Persica Leaf Extract
Emollient
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
Emollient
Sophora Japonica Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Isododecane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cyclomethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silica, Propanediol, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, CI 77492, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, CI 77491, Bisabolol, Quartz, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, CI 77499, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Sophora Japonica Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Beta-Glucan, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside
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 ExtractCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
