What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Parfum
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Glucosamine Hcl
Urea
Buffering
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientSorbitol
Humectant
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Thymus Vulgaris Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Isohexadecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Parfum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Urea, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Algae Extract, Sorbitol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Linalool, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Thymus Vulgaris Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Potassium Cocoate
Emulsifying
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Aspergillus Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningUsnea Barbata Extract
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Potassium Cocoate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Aspergillus Ferment Extract Filtrate, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGinseng root is a well-loved ingredient in Asian skincare for good reason. It hydrates the skin, soothes irritation, and helps even out skin tone.
In traditional East Asian medicine, ginseng has been used for centuries both as food and as a healing remedy, and modern research continues to confirm its skin benefits.
One of the standout features of ginseng is its ability to improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin, bringing a fresh supply of nutrients to support overall skin health. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to protect your skin against damage from UV exposure, pollution, and daily stress.
Additionally, studies suggest that ginseng may help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin production.
There are different types of ginseng used in skincare, and while they all share core benefits, their potency can vary.
Most products use fresh or white ginseng because it’s more affordable. However, red ginseng, produced by steaming the root, contains higher levels of ginsenosides, which are compounds with proven anti-aging effects. These ginsenosides help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.
Note: All forms of ginseng are listed simply as “Panax ginseng” in ingredient lists. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about which type of ginseng is used in their ingredients.
For general antioxidant benefits, any ginseng extract will do, but for wrinkle care or firmer skin, red or fermented ginseng is often more effective.
In short, ginseng is a powerhouse ingredient that supports hydration, radiance, and resilience.
Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root ExtractWater. 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
