What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientKaolin
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucrose Myristate
EmollientSucrose Laurate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Zea Mays Germ Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cellulose, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sucrose Stearate, Kaolin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucrose Myristate, Sucrose Laurate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Butylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Synthetic Wax
Abrasive
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
PEG-10 Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Powder
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Coral Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, C13-15 Alkane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Water, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Coral Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pinus Pinaster Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycolic Acid, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, 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.
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 preservatives
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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the bark of the white willow tree. The official CosIng listing states this ingredient to have astringent, skin conditioning, soothing, and tonic properties.
Its star compound is salicin, a natural glucoside that is chemically related to salicylic acid. That's why you'll often see it marketed as a "natural BHA alternative" but that's a bit of a stretch.
Your skin can't convert salicin to salicylic acid because it needs specific enzymes that aren't present on the skin's surface. It won't behave like true salicylic acid, especially at the concentrations used in cosmetics.
However, this ingredient has its own perks. It contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins that give it proven antioxidant and soothing properties.
An 8-week clinical study found a cream with 2% of this extract improved skin microcirculation, elasticity, and dark circles. This is most likely due to its role in increasing hyaluronic acid synthesis in fibroblasts and improved vascular integrity.
Another study found a topical serum with 0.5% salicin showed improvements in visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and texture.
Just be careful if you have a known aspirin/salicylate allergy and be sure to consult with a medical professional about using this ingredient if you do.
Fun fact: Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years and ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractWater. 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
