What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
C9-12 Alkane
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Undecane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Apium Graveolens Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Angelica Archangelica Root Extract
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Sorbitan Trioleate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTridecane
Perfuming
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, C9-12 Alkane, Betaine, Inositol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Undecane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, Squalane, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Colloidal Oatmeal, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Trioleate, Xanthan Gum, Tridecane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyamide-5
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate
Sodium Phytate
Cetearyl Olivate
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Sea Whip Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyamide-5, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Hexylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate, Sodium Phytate, Cetearyl Olivate, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sorbitan Olivate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Citric Acid
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 ExtractThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract comes from the Goji Berry. Goji berries are native to China and can be found across Eurasia.
Goji berries contain polysaccharides, carotenoids and flavonoids. Antioxidants help your body fight off free-radical molecules. These molecules are unstable and may damage your skin. By making free-radicals more stable, antioxidants can help with anti-aging.
Polysaccharides help hydrate the top layer of skin due to its ability to mimic natural carbohydrates.
Learn more about Lycium Barbarum Fruit ExtractPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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
