What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCalcium Chloride
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChondrus Crispus
MaskingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
AstringentBambusa Textilis Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPeat Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCI 77480
Cosmetic ColorantPearl Extract
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Calcium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, CI 77491, Peat Water, Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, CI 77480, Pearl Extract, Betaine, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Paraffinum Liquidum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCarrageenan
Niacinamide
SmoothingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
AntimicrobialSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCitrus Nobilis Peel Extract
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingRibes Nigrum Leaf Extract
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningChromium Oxide Greens
Potassium Chloride
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingSucrose
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCalcium Lactate
AstringentDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTitanium/Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Silica
AbrasivePolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Niacinamide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Saccharomyces Ferment, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Hexylene Glycol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Calcium Chloride, Allantoin, Cellulose Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chromium Oxide Greens, Potassium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Sucrose, Chlorphenesin, Calcium Lactate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Adenosine, Titanium Dioxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
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 GlycolCalcium chloride is a white, odorless, crystalline solid. It is an astringent and can be used to change the viscosity of products.
This ingredient is highly soluble in water, acetic acid, and ethanol.
There are many forms of this ingredient, including monohydrate, dihydrate, tetrahydrate, and hexahydrate.
Learn more about Calcium ChlorideCamellia 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 ExtractCaprylyl 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 GlycolCeratonia Siliqua Gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. You might know this ingredient as Carob Gum or Locust Bean Gum. It is used to stabilize other ingredients and improve the texture of products.
Carob gum is made up of long-chain polysaccharides. This makes it a natural thickener.
Yes! This ingredient comes from the seeds of a tree. The name 'Locust Bean Gum' can be misleading.
Learn more about Ceratonia Siliqua GumChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthyl Hexanediol is an aliphatic alcohol. It is a solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteWater. 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