What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentFructooligosaccharides
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEruca Sativa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract
MaskingTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Dipropylene Glycol, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Parfum, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Beta-Glucan, Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBisabolol
AntioxidantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Methyl Trimethicone, Silica, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Water, Sorbitan Olivate, Bisabolol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Squalane, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Fructooligosaccharides, Sorbitan Isostearate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide EOP, Linalool, Limonene
Reviews
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract comes from the false daisy plant. False daisy contains antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids.
One study found false daisy to absorb UVA and UVB radiation. However, this should not replace your sunscreen.
False daisy is used in both traditional medicines and foods throughout Southeast Asia and India.
Learn more about Eclipta Prostrata 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 EthylhexylglycerinFructooligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of prebiotic sugar with humectant and skin conditioning properties. As a humectant, they help attract and hold moisture in the skin.
FOS essentially acts as a food source for the "good" bacteria on your skin and make it harder for "bad" bacteria to thrive. A 2022 study using a reconstructured human skin model found that just 1% of FOS was enough to shift the bacteria balance in favor of beneficial species. This suggests it could help support a healthier skin microbiome over time.
This ingredient has a low sensitization risk and testing shows it does not classify as a skin irritant or sensitizer.
FOS are usually produced from sugar beets and can also be found in foods like bananas, garlic, and onions.
Learn more about FructooligosaccharidesGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidLaminaria Japonica Extract comes from a kelp more commonly known as 'sweet kelp'. It is commonly eaten in Japan, Korea, and China.
Sweet kelp is a humectant and helps hydrate your skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin.
Studies show Laminaria Japonica has antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging. Kelp also contains magnesium and zinc, making it great for calming inflammation and redness.
Learn more about Laminaria Japonica ExtractParfum 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 ParfumPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconePropanediol 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 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