What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant
Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Water Hyacinth Ferment
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment
Skin ConditioningMonascus/Rice Ferment
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCassia Tora Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlechoma Hederacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPlatycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract
Antioxidant
Acer Palmatum Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAllium Sativum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Raphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Morus Bombycis Leaf Extract
SmoothingPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSpinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sasa Veitchii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Plantago Major Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAkebia Quinata Extract
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGrifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract
EmollientPrunus Salicina Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Angularis Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Mentha Piperita Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Lentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingVanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 234
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventTromethamine
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Ferulic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Water Hyacinth Ferment, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Saccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Cassia Tora Seed Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Glechoma Hederacea Extract, Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract, Acer Palmatum Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Allium Sativum Bulb Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Morus Bombycis Leaf Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract, Spinacia Oleracea Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sasa Veitchii Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Plantago Major Seed Extract, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Akebia Quinata Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract, Mentha Piperita Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Poloxamer 234, Betaine, Glycosphingolipids, Phospholipids, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Polyquaternium-51, Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Cholesterol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Tromethamine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Abies Alba Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lactarius Hatsudake Fruiting Body Extract
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Lactobacillus/Ampelocissus Martini Fruit/Lavender Flower/Rosa Canina Fruit/Rosemary Leaf/Sage Leaf/Thyme Leaf Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Leaf Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Acrylate/Hydroxyethyl Acrylamide Copolymer
Acrolein/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Butylene Glycol, Abies Alba Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Lactarius Hatsudake Fruiting Body Extract, Maltodextrin, Lactobacillus/Ampelocissus Martini Fruit/Lavender Flower/Rosa Canina Fruit/Rosemary Leaf/Sage Leaf/Thyme Leaf Extract Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Betaine, Glycosyl Trehalose, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Oil, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Squalane, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylate/Hydroxyethyl Acrylamide Copolymer, Acrolein/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Trisodium EDTA, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, Polysorbate 60, Limonene
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.
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
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerBetaine 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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as lime essential oil or key lime essential oil.
Like other citrus extracts and oils, this ingredient contains furanocoumarins that can cause phototoxicity.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLactobacillus is the INCI name for the live, whole lactic bacteria culture itself and is classified as a skin conditioning agent.
It is the same genus of probiotic that you can find in yogurt or fermented foods and it shows up at low levels naturally on human skin.
This ingredient is more of a microbiome agent rather than an active; it helps rebalance the skin's microbial community.
The bacteria and their metabolites produce lactic acid and other antimicrobial compounds that crowd out the "bad bacteria". Research on Lactobacillus strains shows activity against pathogens and acne-causing bacteria.
One strain, Lactobacillus plantarum, has also been shown to boost collagen synthesis and lower melanin synthesis in lab and clinical observation.
The most eye-catching data comes from acne research, a topical cream with live lactobacilli was well-tolerated and improved skin hydration by 37.3% after 14 days of use and 45.6% after 28 days.
Sources for this ingredient are usually fermented substrates like dairy, soy, or rice.
In general, this is a low-irritation and well-tolerated ingredient that plays nice with most of your routine.
One thing to keep in mind is that live bacteria are hard to keep alive inside of a skincare product. They struggle to survive on the shelf and don't get along with the preservatives that stop products from spoiling.
That's why you'll see ferment and postbiotic forms instead, like Lactobacillus Ferment or Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate.
There isn't a fixed percentage for this ingredient since it is dosed by strain and viable count.
On the fungal acne front: Lactobacillus is a bacterium (not a fungus). The whole culture contains no fatty acids, esters, or oils that Malassezia can feed on so it is considered fungal acne safe.
Learn more about LactobacillusLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
