What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice
EmollientCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningMel
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAroma
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
AbrasiveLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
PerfumingLactic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingYucca Schidigera Stem Extract
CleansingChlorella Pyrenoidosa Powder
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Communis Fruit Extract
PerfumingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantArnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentP-Anisic Acid
MaskingMenthol
MaskingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingSodium Phytate
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Water, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Mel, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Aroma, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Yucca Schidigera Stem Extract, Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Powder, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Arnica Montana Extract, Borago Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, P-Anisic Acid, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium Phytate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, CI 77288, Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool
Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
SolventHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
AbrasiveCitrus Limon Fruit Oil
AstringentSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentArnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientKaolin
AbrasiveSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Cetyl Palmitate
EmollientMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Extract, Borago Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Coco-Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Kaolin, Sclerotium Gum, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Sorbitan Palmitate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Water, Sodium Phytate, CI 77491, Alcohol, Limonene, Citral, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholArnica Montana is more commonly known as Wolf's Bane.
The FDA considers Wolf's Bane to be an unsafe herb. They advise against taking it orally or applying it to broken skin.
Wolf's Bane has been said to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, studies are conflicting about whether this is true.
Learn more about Arnica Montana ExtractBorago Officinalis Leaf Extract is from the starflower plant. This plant grows primarily in Europe.
Borago Officinalis Leaf Extract is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract comes from the common Marigold plant part of the Asteraceae family. This ingredient is a skin conditioner.
Marigolds contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are a group of substances found naturally in plants. They possess antioxidant and inflammation properties.
This ingredient soothes skin inflammation by inhibiting inhibiting a part of the inflammation process.
Marigolds have been used in traditional medicine throughout Asia and Europe.
Learn more about Calendula Officinalis Flower ExtractCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideWe don't have a description for Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Juice yet.
Limonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMedicago Sativa Extract is derived from Alfalfa. It contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Alfalfa is also known as lucerne in the UK, South Africa, and the oceania countries. Ancient Greece and Rome used this plant to feed livestock.
This ingredient is also known as olive oil. It has been used in skincare for centuries and science largely backs up its reputation as a nourishing emollient.
The main components of olive oil are oleic acid (55-83%), linoleic acid (3.5-20%), and palmitic acid (7-20%). Oleic acid promotes skin regeneration and helps regulate inflammatory responses.
Squalene is also naturally present in olive oil and exhibits moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
The polyphenols in olive oil also show anti-aging promise; one clinical study found a measurable improvement in skin appearance after 30 days of topical serum use.
Just be aware that applying olive oil directly to skin can weaken the barrier and cause redness. One study with volunteers found even people without sensitive skin experienced a significant reduction in stratum corneum integrity and induced mild erythema.
It's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted formula (instead of putting it on skin directly from the bottle).
Because it has a 2-3 on the comedogenic scale, it is a moderate risk for acne-prone skin. However, the overall formulation of a product matters more than a few ingredients with comedogenic ratings.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because of the oleic and palmitic acid content. These fall within the C11-24 fatty acid range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize to grow.
Overall, olive oil is a well-studied and nourishing skincare ingredient.
Learn more about Olea Europaea Fruit OilSalix 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 ExtractSambucus Nigra is known as the black elderberry.
Black Elderberry contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
This ingredient is also known as meadowsweet extract.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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