What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Hesperidin
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentResveratrol
Antioxidant
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPinus Strobus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Sophora Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningThioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Polyglutamic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Ferulic Acid, Hesperidin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Resveratrol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pinus Strobus Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Sophora Japonica Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Thioctic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Flower Oil
Perfuming
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Decyl Glucoside, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Resveratrol, Ubiquinone, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
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 ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholResveratrol is a well-studied polyphenol antioxidant that has gained attention in skincare for its protective and calming effects on the skin. It’s often considered a gentler option for people who can’t tolerate retinoids.
This antioxidant is best known for its anti-aging benefits. Research suggests resveratrol helps combat visible signs of aging by:
Beyond anti-aging, resveratrol is also valued for its skin-brightening and soothing properties.
Some forms of resveratrol appear to be more effective than others. Resveratrol isobutyrate and resveratrol butyrate are often cited as more stable derivatives.
Research also suggests these two forms have stronger effects on Type I collagen stimulation and inflammation reduction compared to basic resveratrol.
Resveratrol is naturally unstable and can degrade when exposed to light and oxygen. Well-designed products often use stabilized derivatives, airless or opaque packaging, and supporting antioxidants to help maintain effectiveness on skin.
A note on resveratrol as a retinoid alternative:
While resveratrol offers antioxidant protection, inflammation control, and some collagen-supporting benefits, it does not replace retinoids in terms of cell turnover or acne treatment.
However, it can be a useful option for people with retinoid sensitivity or intolerance, or for those looking to support skin health without irritation.
Fun fact: Resveratrol is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, and berries, which is why it’s frequently associated with wine and grape-derived skincare ingredients.
Learn more about ResveratrolSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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
