What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCitrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Allantoin, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantManganese PCA
HumectantCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Formate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Manganese PCA, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Formate, Sodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, CI 15985, CI 14700
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolPyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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