What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Germ Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrtus Communis Extract
AstringentSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientPrunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGrifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantParfum
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Butylene Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Ascorbic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 17200
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantJasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract
MaskingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantSchinus Molle Extract
Skin ProtectingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhormidium Persicinum Extract
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingCitronellyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Acetoacetate
PerfumingEthyl 2-Methylbutyrate
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingDimethylheptenal
PerfumingMethyl Anthranilate
MaskingMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMethylbenzyl Acetate
MaskingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Propanediol, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Sea Water, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Jasminum Sambac Leaf Cell Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Schinus Molle Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Phormidium Persicinum Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Citronellyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetoacetate, Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate, Linalyl Acetate, Dimethylheptenal, Methyl Anthranilate, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Alcohol Denat., Methylbenzyl Acetate, Triethyl Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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 ExtractCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateDisteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.
It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.
Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.
Learn more about Disteardimonium HectoriteGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidWe don't have a description for Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract yet.
Parfum 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 “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” 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 ParfumThis ingredient is an emulsifier. It is created from Polyglycerin-3 and Ricinoleic Acid.
As an emulsifier, it prevents waters and oils from separating. According to a manufacturer this ingredient is fully biodegradable.
This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis due to its Ricinoleic Acid base. Ricinoleic Acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 PolyricinoleateThis ingredient is an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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