What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentNymphaea Tetragona Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Coco-Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 17200, CI 42090, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Nymphaea Tetragona Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLauryl Betaine
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Powder
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-39
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauryl Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-39, Decylene Glycol, Allantoin, Dipropylene Glycol, Fructan, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCamellia 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 ExtractCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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