What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Whey Filtrate
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSteareth-30
CleansingPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingMilk Exosomes
EmollientEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingAristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCodium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, C12-13 Pareth-9, Xanthan Gum, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Glycerin, Lactobionic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Mandelic Acid, Whey Filtrate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Steareth-30, Propolis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Milk Exosomes, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Aristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Codium Fragile Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSorbitol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
4-Terpineol
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Punica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sorbitol, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 4-Terpineol, Succinic Acid, Betaine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Arctium Majus Root Extract is from the roots of the burdock plant. It is an antioxidant and helps soothe skin.
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as Hinoki water. It is made by steam distilling the Japanese cypress tree.
Functionally, this ingredient is often used as a water replacement and concentrations can go as high up as 65%; this just means its more-so used to shape the base of a formula than as a star active.
The water carries small amounts of the tree's volatile compounds that give it a soft and woody scent.
Most of the published skin research is related to the essential oil or leaf extract rather than this water form; these cell and mice studies should antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects.
This ingredient only contains a small amount of these beneficial compounds but can still provide some soothing.
The Hinokitiol compound in this water is also antifungal against Malassezia; this can make it a great option for those with fungal acne.
However, those with fragrance sensitivity should patch test.
Fun fact: The Japanese 'Hinoki' Cypress tree is traditionally used to build shrines and temples.
Learn more about Chamaecyparis Obtusa WaterEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinEucalyptus globulus leaf extract comes from the leaves of the blue gum tree. It has perfuming and skin conditioning properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient has antioxidants to help protect skin against free radicals.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf 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 GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidWe don't have a description for Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract yet.
Lemon balm is a mint-family herb with skin conditioning properties. It contains components such as rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, geraniol, citronellal, and ursolic acid.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSage leaf extract is a culinary and medicinal herb with antibacterial, antioxidant, and soothing properties.
This ingredient is made up of 75-90% ursolic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
We don't have a description for Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract yet.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
