What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water
Masking
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Undecane
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTridecane
Perfuming
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Lithospermum Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Valine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Niacinamide, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Undecane, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Sorbitan Olivate, Synthetic Beeswax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 77492, Tridecane, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trihydroxystearin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77491, Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Squalane, Lithospermum Officinale Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Glycine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hexyl Laurate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Stabilising
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
PEG-10 Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Stabilising
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexyl Laurate, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
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
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 ExtractThis ingredient is a silicone-based emulsifer that helps the water and oil phases play nicely together. It's so effective because one end of the molecule loves oil and the other one loves water.
Besides holding formulas together, it also leaves a silky and lightweight feel on skin without the greasiness. A manufacturer also claims it can help with the controlled release of active ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel found this ingredient to not be sensitizing in concentrations up to 15% in human maximazation testing and dimethicone-based compounds were not comedogenic.
It has a high molecular weight well above 1,000 g/mol which means it limits meaningful skin penetration.
A 2019 study specifically tested this ingredient and found no observable Malassezia growth in its presence.
Learn more about Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 DimethiconeCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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
