What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14720
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorphenesin, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, CI 42090, CI 14720
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Pectin
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Butylene Glycol, Octocrylene, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Glycine Soja Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Pectin, Pentylene Glycol, Sea Salt, Sodium Carrageenan, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPropylene 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 HyaluronateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about Triethanolamine
