What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPolyisobutene
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Triethylhexanoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Water, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Butyl Avocadate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin, Parfum
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventOryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polyisobutene, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oryza Sativa Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Rice Amino Acids
Reviews
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 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePropanediol 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 PropanediolSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a tetraester from oleic acid and polyethylene glycol ether of sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it helps ingredients such as oil and water mix together. This allows the dirt and oils in your skin to be washed away.
One study found pumpkin oil containing Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate helped hydrate the skin and did not cause any irritation.
Learn more about Sorbeth-30 TetraoleateTocopherol 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