What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Water, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Panthenol, Collagen Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract, Algae Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Propolis Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Collagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butylene Glycol, Collagen Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Propolis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Algae Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Linolenic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Alternatives
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
Algae Extract is a confusing name. This is because algae is an informal term for a group of 30,000 aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize.
The term 'algae extract' can refer to any one, or a blend of, the 30,000 types.
Algae is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Algae can also help with soothing and hydrating skin.
Many different types of algae have different benefits.
Learn more about Algae ExtractBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolYou might know this plant as Job's Tears or Chinese pearl barley. It is a grain native to Southeast Asia.
This ingredient has skin conditioning properties. Emerging studies show the grain to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties as well. (With one study finding this ingredient to be effective at blocking melanin when skin is exposed to UV).
Job's tears is rich in nutrients, such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid.
You can also find great antioxidants such as ferulic acid, caffeic acid.
To top if off, ceramides are also present in this grain.
Learn more about Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed ExtractCollagen extract is derived from parts of animals. It has skin conditioning properties and is mostly comprised of glycine, proline, and hydroxypoline. These are amino acids.
While our skin does have collagen, this ingredient is not used by the skin for anti-aging. Applying collagen topically has not been linked to helping with collagen loss in skin. All the benefits of collagen are related to hydration.
This ingredient will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
Learn more about Collagen ExtractGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilWe don't have a description for Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract yet.
Propolis Extract is a natural ingredient derived from propolis (also known as bee glue). Bees make propolis by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds and plants.
This ingredient is packed with bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acids that give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research shows it can help:
It also pairs nicely with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides.
Just so you know, Propolis Extract is recognized as a contact allergen. In patch tests done in the EU, roughly 1-6% of patients react to it. Be sure to steer clear of this ingredient if you have a known allergy to bee products.
Since it is an animal-derived product, this ingredient is not considered vegan. For vegan alternatives, check out Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate or Centella Asiatica Extract.
Learn more about Propolis ExtractSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateThis tree is also known as the David Elm. It contains the ingredient bakuchiol.
Other great compounds found in this ingredient include galactose, glucose, and phenolics. The sugar content gives it great skin hydrating properties. Phenolics are potent antioxidants commonly found in fruits and veggies.
A 2020 study found the phenolics of this root to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fun fact: This ingredient is used in traditional Asian medicine.
Learn more about Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
