What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingBisabolol
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Trideceth-10, Bisabolol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Astaxanthin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Oil
EmollientEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Lecithin
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
Astaxanthin is a carotene pigment and red pigment. It is a promising antioxidant with a ton of skin benefits.
This antioxidant has great anti-aging benefits by blocking the following:
Astaxanthin is also great at soothing skin due to its ability to block molecules that signal inflammation. It is currently being studied for preventing chronic inflammatory diseases.
Plus, a study from 2012 found Astaxanthin in liposomes protected mouse skin from UV-damage.
Fun fact: Astaxanthin is responsible for giving salmon a pink color.
Learn more about AstaxanthinButylene 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 GlycolThis 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 TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCorallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.
Corallina Officinalis Extract contains antioxidant and emollient properties.
Extracted polysaccharides, galactose and xylose, in red algae showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Galactose is also a PHA.
Corallina Officinalis is structurally similar to coral due to its high calcium content.
Learn more about Corallina Officinalis ExtractCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractThis ingredient is also known as Bhringaraj extract or False Daisy. It is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
Research shows it has antioxidant properties; lab studies have found it can protect skin cells from UV-induced damage and help suppress inflammation.
There's also some interesting research on its potential to support hair growth by promoting the growth phase of the hair cycle.
Those with an allergy to plants in the daisy family may want to patch test this ingredient. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated otherwise.
Learn more about Eclipta Prostrata 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 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 GlycerinThis extract comes from a tiny freshwater green microalga that can be found all over the world. It's special because it can produce massive amounts of Astaxanthin, a bright reddish-orange carotenoid pigment that is considered one of nature's most powerful antioxidants.
The algae starts pumping out Astaxanthin as a defense mechanism whenever it gets stressed out by things like intense sunlight or lack of nutrients.
This extract comes as a red-tinted, oily liquid and is packed with carotenoids, proteins, lipids, and minerals.
Astaxanthin is an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative damage to your skin. It is also lipophilic, meaning it loves fats. This lets it concentrate in the outer layers of your skin where UV damage tends to hit first.
Research suggests it outperforms other well-known antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Beta-Carotene in terms of scavenging ability. It can also help inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (the enzymes that break down collagen) and can stimulate growth factor secretion to support collagen production in dermal fibroblasts.
Clinical studies have shown that combining oral supplementation (6 mg/day) with topical application of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis led to improvements in wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, skin texture, and moisture content.
This ingredient is generally considered safe and well-tolerated in both topical and oral applications. In cosmetics, you'll see typical concentrations range from 0.1-2%. Allergic reactions are rare and be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
It's worth noting that about 95% of Astaxanthin on the market is made synthetically from petrochemicals.
Learn more about Haematococcus Pluvialis ExtractMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of Moringa oleifera plant. It is more commonly known as Moringa seed oil.
Moringa seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin hydrating properties. These seeds are rich in oils, proteins, monounsaturated fats, and tocopherols.
As an emollient, moringa seed oil helps trap moisture in the skin by creating a film on top. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Many compounds in moringa seed oil are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. These compounds include Vitamin E. , catechins, ferulic acid, and more.
Another compound found in Moringa seed oil is oleic acid.
Moringa trees are native to the Himalayan mountains.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed OilOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. This gives it skin brightening and soothing properties.
While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.
One thing to note is the presence of tannins; tannins are naturally found in nature. However, this compound may be skin-sensitizing.
Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene 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 GlycolWater. 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