What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-24
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientJasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract
MaskingPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningPhragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAgastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSodium Oleate
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Dimethylacrylamide Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingFructose
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oligopeptide-24, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Squalane, Caffeine, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Jasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Phragmites Communis Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Sodium Oleate, Glycine Soja Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phytate, Maltodextrin, Isostearyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1, Sodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Dimethylacrylamide Crosspolymer, Fructose, Isohexadecane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus, Malic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Limonene, Potassium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCocoglycerides
EmollientPropanediol
SolventIsododecane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-20
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantOligopeptide-24
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHeptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin ConditioningD-Arginyl Tyrosinyl Ornithinyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningCopper Heptapeptide-14 Pantothenate
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAlgin
MaskingPichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate
HumectantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPullulan
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningSodium Oleate
CleansingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingUbiquinone
AntioxidantDextran
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Phytate
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePolyvinyl Alcohol
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Cocoglycerides, Propanediol, Isododecane, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Oligopeptide-20, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Oligopeptide-24, Pentapeptide-4, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, D-Arginyl Tyrosinyl Ornithinyl Phenylalanine, Copper Heptapeptide-14 Pantothenate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Allantoin, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Algin, Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Pullulan, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Oleate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Ubiquinone, Dextran, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Phytate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Polyvinyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide is a prebiotic. It prevents harmful bacteria from growing on skin by keeping the skin's microbiome in balance.
Another benefit of this ingredient is its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect our skin from oxidative damage.
Camellia 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 ExtractDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideOligopeptide-24 is a peptide.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolWe don't have a description for Sodium Oleate yet.
Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Tocopherol 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