What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Betaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Trehalose
Humectant
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion Stabilising
Trisodium EDTA
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAtractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBelamcanda Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicPlatycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningSchizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingTussilago Farfara Flower Extract
AstringentThymus Vulgaris Extract
Perfuming
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
Juglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Prunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmomum Xanthioides Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Atractylodes Lancea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Textilis Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Masking
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCuscuta Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDimocarpus Longan Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientPoncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Kernel Extract
MoisturisingTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllium Tuberosum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAchyranthes Bidentata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygala Tenuifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEpimedium Koreanum Extract
AntimicrobialParfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Betaine, Glycerin, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Serine, Trehalose, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Hydroxyproline, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Trisodium EDTA, Glycolipids, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Sodium Lactate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Rhizome Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Tussilago Farfara Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense Leaf Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Eucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Amomum Xanthioides Seed Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Atractylodes Lancea Root Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Cuscuta Japonica Seed Extract, Dimocarpus Longan Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Powder, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Kernel Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Allium Tuberosum Seed Extract, Achyranthes Bidentata Root Extract, Polygala Tenuifolia Root Extract, Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract, Epimedium Koreanum Extract, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Honey
Humectant
Juglans Regia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Geraniol
Perfuming
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Parfum, Honey, Juglans Regia Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Phenyl Trimethicone, Chondrus Crispus, Linalool, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Natto Gum, Citronellol, Citral, Propylene Glycol, Geraniol, Chlorphenesin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Juglans Regia Seed Extract yet.
Limonene 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 LinaloolWe 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 ParfumWe don't have a description for Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract yet.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopherol 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 TocopherolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumWe don't have a description for Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract yet.
