What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zingiber Officinale Water
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Davidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Davidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Bromelain, Papain, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Water, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingHydroxypropylcellulose
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Succinic Acid
BufferingMenthol
Masking
Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide
TonicPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Menthoxypropanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Glycerin, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Maltodextrin, Mentha Piperita Oil, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Menthyl Lactate, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Succinic Acid, Menthol, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Camellia 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 ExtractCitric 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 AcidMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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
