What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingPPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSericin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingOryza Sativa Germ Oil
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, PPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sericin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tocopherol, Trideceth-12, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sorbitan Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Parfum, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentFructooligosaccharides
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEruca Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract
MaskingTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Dipropylene Glycol, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Parfum, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Camellia 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 ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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