What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingWater, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chlorphenesin, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Diglycerin
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningAspergillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientZea Mays Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Diglycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Papain, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Allantoin, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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