What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Niacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPrimula Veris Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyester-5
Bakuchiol
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Primula Veris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyester-5, Bakuchiol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucrose, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Oleanolic Acid
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Parfum
MaskingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Water
Skin ConditioningMineral Salts
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Propanediol
SolventMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingOrchid Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Parfum, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Water, Mineral Salts, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propanediol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, Sodium Citrate, Orchid Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, CI 77491, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, CI 77492, CI 77499, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mica, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Tocopherol, Dipropylene Glycol
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
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 GlycolCamellia 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 ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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