What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningAlpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentCitrus Depressa Peel Extract
HumectantSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citral
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Pinene
Masking
Terpineol
Masking
Turpentine
Perfuming
Silica
Abrasive
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Betaine, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Citrus Depressa Peel Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Tocopherol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Nonapeptide-1, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Laurate, Disodium Phosphate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Terpineol, Turpentine, Silica, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyamide-5
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polysilicone-11
Squalane
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Betula Alba Leaf Extract
AstringentBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyamide-5, Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysilicone-11, Squalane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Laureth-12, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silybum Marianum Extract, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Panthenol, Squalene, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate
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 ExtractDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 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
