What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Polyacrylic Acid, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Pvp, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Triethyl Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
Emulsifying
Octyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Vinyldimethicone
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Ceteareth-20
CleansingLecithin
Emollient
Steareth-100
Gel FormingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Pvp, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Octyldodeceth-16, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Vinyldimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Ceteareth-20, Lecithin, Steareth-100, Hexylene Glycol
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 ExtractCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidWe don't have a description for Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract yet.
Octyldodeceth-16 comes from the fatty-alcohol Octyldodecanol.
Emulsifers keep oils and water ingredients together to create a more even consistency.
Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate isn't fungal acne safe.
Pvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWe don't have a description for Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract yet.
Water. 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
