What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSericin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingTetrapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Latifolia Peel Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Squalane, Sericin, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Tetrapeptide-4, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Latifolia Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientCitrus Depressa Peel Extract
HumectantAlpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantAphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantArginine
MaskingLauryl Betaine
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingTurpentine
PerfumingTerpinolene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Citrus Depressa Peel Extract, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Cellulose Gum, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arginine, Lauryl Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Tocopherol, Silica, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Beta-Caryophyllene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Terpineol, Turpentine, Terpinolene, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolCamellia 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 ExtractCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.
Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.
Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.
Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel OilWe don't have a description for Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract yet.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 PropanediolThis ingredient is created by fermenting the yeast, Saccharomyces, and rice. Saccharomyces is rich in beta-glucan and has great hydrating properties.
Rice ferment also has great skin benefits - read more about them here.
Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneWater. 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