What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate
EmulsifyingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientInositol
HumectantSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaphycus Gelatinum Extract
BleachingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGold
Cosmetic ColorantSericin
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Squalane, Diisostearyl Malate, Behenyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Inositol, Sorbitan Tristearate, Beheneth-20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Betaphycus Gelatinum Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Gold, Sericin, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Mica, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 60725
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSilybum Marianum Ethyl Ester
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
EmollientRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPopulus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCedrus Atlantica Wood Oil
PerfumingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limonene, 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.
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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LinaloolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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 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