What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingBentonite
Absorbent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Menthoxypropanediol
Masking
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Phytate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEpilobium Fleischeri Extract
Skin ConditioningSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77289
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Menthoxypropanediol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, CI 77289, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate
EmollientGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Symphytum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingPPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 75120
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Lactic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Chondrus Crispus, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Zea Mays Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Vegetable Oil, Sodium PCA, Dimethicone, Linoleic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Caprylyl Glycol, Phospholipids, Beta-Carotene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sclerotium Gum, Decylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Menthoxypropanediol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, CI 75120
Reviews
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 ExtractCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the āglueā that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donāt penetrate as deeply. This means theyāre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinās microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productās pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidMenthoxypropanediol can cause irritation and worsen rosacea.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxidePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 (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 skinās 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 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
