What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAlgae Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHazelnut Seed Oil Decyl Esters
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPlantago Major Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPlantago Psyllium Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMichelia Alba Leaf Oil
MaskingMagnolol
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRhizobian Gum
Goat Fat
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSucrose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientNephelium Longana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientStearyl Caprylate
EmollientCetyl Caprylate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantHydrogen
AntioxidantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantKalanchoe Spathulata Extract
AntioxidantKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingScutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPeucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCarnosine
Skin ConditioningIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingDaemonorops Draco Extract
AstringentZea Mays Kernel Extract
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAmmonium Phosphate
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Water, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Algae Oligosaccharides, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Hazelnut Seed Oil Decyl Esters, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Chlorphenesin, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Plantago Major Seed Extract, Plantago Psyllium Seed Extract, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Magnolol, Tranexamic Acid, Citrus Limon Peel, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Phospholipids, Xanthan Gum, Rhizobian Gum, Goat Fat, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbic Acid, Sucrose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Nephelium Longana Seed Extract, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Stearyl Caprylate, Cetyl Caprylate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Garcinia Mangostana Seed Oil, Arbutin, Hydrogen, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Carnosine, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Daemonorops Draco Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Atelocollagen, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ammonium Phosphate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Plankton Extract, Glutathione
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentRetinol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Propylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
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 ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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