What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSuccinoyl Atelocollagen
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSqualane
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingArginine
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Isostearoyl Lactate
CleansingPhytosteryl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ns, Sodium Hyaluronate, Succinoyl Atelocollagen, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Citrus Limon Juice, Crataegus Monogyna Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Squalane, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Arginine, Trehalose, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactate, Phytosteryl Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingBis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSoluble Collagen
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Acetate
BufferingHydrolyzed Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract
Ectoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHoney
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Archangelica Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantSea Water Extract
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientPelargonium Graveolens Extract
MaskingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Extract
AstringentOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Extract
AstringentCrataegus Oxyacantha Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Oleate
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-5 Laurate
EmulsifyingHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingArnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSus Extract
Skin ConditioningHypericum Erectum Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCollagen Powder
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningN-Stearoyl-Dihydrosphingosine
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTranexamic Acid, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pvp, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Soluble Collagen, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetate, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Ectoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Honey, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Protein, Yeast Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Sea Water Extract, Sphingolipids, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Limon Juice, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Rosa Extract, Crataegus Oxyacantha Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Sodium Oleate, Behenyl Alcohol, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-5 Laurate, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Arnica Montana Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Sus Extract, Hypericum Erectum Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Collagen Powder, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, N-Stearoyl-Dihydrosphingosine, Royal Jelly Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineBehenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract comes from key limes. It has skin conditioning properties.
Lime-derived ingredients are generally safe for cosmetic use when properly formulated according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) report. However, like other citrus extracts, they can cause photosensitivity or irritation if used in high concentrations or not handled according to safety guidelines.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract is more commonly known as the bitter orange. Native to Southeast Asia, this extract is commonly found in both cosmetics and foods.
The bitter orange possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
It can also be mildly exfoliating due to the citric acid, an AHA.
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamin C.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractThis ingredient is also known as grapefruit or citricidal extract. It has perfuming and astringent properties.
Astringents shrinks tissue by drawing water out of your skin. This leads to a temporary tightening effect in the skin.
Citrus Limon juice is also lemon juice.
While lemon juice contains antioxidants and vitamins, it can sensitize the skin.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne. This can cause sensitivity. Lemon juice can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
Learn more about Citrus Limon JuiceYou might know this plant as Job's Tears or Chinese pearl barley. It is a grain native to Southeast Asia.
This ingredient has skin conditioning properties. Emerging studies show the grain to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties as well. (With one study finding this ingredient to be effective at blocking melanin when skin is exposed to UV).
Job's tears is rich in nutrients, such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid.
You can also find great antioxidants such as ferulic acid, caffeic acid.
To top if off, ceramides are also present in this grain.
Learn more about Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosinePolyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate yet.
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