What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-11
Polyquaternium-37
Polyquaternium-55
Hexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Biotin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Menthol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-55, Hexapeptide-11, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Glycerin, Zinc PCA, Citric Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Betaine, Isopropyl Alcohol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingMenthyl Ethylamido Oxalate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasiveCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingSh-Polypeptide-50
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingOenothera Biennis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Phosphate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Polyquaternium-10, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Panthenol, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Caffeine, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Sh-Polypeptide-50, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Cetyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sorbitan Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Root Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCamellia 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 ExtractThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc. The trade name for this ingredient is Leucidal.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltratePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Potassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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