What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTranexamic Acid
AstringentSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Acetylhydroxyprolyl Dipeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Dipeptide-51
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Pentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Acetylhydroxyprolyl Dipeptide-12, Pentasodium Tetracarboxymethyl Dipeptide-51, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCodonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Isostearate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlucose
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantWater, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Phytosterols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Panthenol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Squalane, Glucose, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Papain, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Madecassoside, Citric Acid, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Extract comes from the witch hazel plant.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel has astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties.
The tannin content of witch hazel constrict the appearance of pores by drying out proteins. Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
However, witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing due to the tannin and fragrance compounds.
North American Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana ExtractStar anise extract is used to add a scent to a product. It has a similar smell to black licorice.
Prunus Mume extract comes from the Asian plum. This plum is AKA 'plum blossom'. Plum blossom has hydrating and antibacterial properties.
Plum Blossoms are rich in nutrients, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C.
A study from 2021 found this ingredient to inhibit melanin production. An animal study found plum blossom to help increase collagen production.
Learn more about Prunus Mume Fruit ExtractSalix 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 ExtractScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract