What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Houttuynia Cordata Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGinsenosides
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantTamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentKigelia Africana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Catechins
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingGlutathione
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingNicotinoyl Dipeptide-22
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningGlutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Pyruvate
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingInositol
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-64
AntioxidantTryptophan
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingThiamine Hcl
MaskingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantHouttuynia Cordata Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Ginsenosides, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Freesia Refracta Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Sucrose, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Cyclodextrin, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Catechins, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bacillus Ferment, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Glutathione, Carnosine, Sodium Chloride, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-22, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Glutamine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Pyruvate, Isoleucine, Leucine, Threonine, Valine, Inositol, Phenylalanine, Serine, Glycine, Methionine, Sh-Polypeptide-64, Tryptophan, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Thiamine Hcl, Riboflavin
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Polygamma-Glutamate
Emulsion StabilisingMadecassoside
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientKigelia Africana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-64
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingEllagic Acid
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Catechins
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Saccharomyces Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Poria Cocos Polysaccharide, Houttuynia Cordata Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycine Max Polypeptide, Niacinamide, Sodium Polygamma-Glutamate, Madecassoside, Panthenol, Bacillus Ferment, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-64, Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Ellagic Acid, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Camellia Sinensis Catechins, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Cyclodextrin, Xanthan Gum
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
We don't have a description for Acmella Oleracea Extract yet.
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 AdenosineBacillus Ferment is created by fermenting Bacillus bacteria with yeast extract and carbohydrates. It acts as a humectant and, depending on the strain, can also provide gentle enzymatic exfoliation.
Depending on the strain and formulation, it may also act as a peptide, probiotic, or prebiotic. Certain strains of Bacillus Ferment help support the skin’s microbiome, soothe inflammation, and promote barrier repair and hydration.
It’s typically used at 0.5-5% concentration, either for mild exfoliation or to improve overall skin health and texture.
Some studies show that Bacillus species can inhibit certain plant fungi (such as Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum) used in agricultural biocontrol. However, these are filamentous molds, not the yeast (Malassezia furfur) responsible for fungal acne.
At this time, there are no studies showing that Bacillus Ferment inhibits Malassezia or that it has been tested on human skin or in cosmetic formulations. Because of this lack of cosmetic and dermatological research, we list Bacillus Ferment as not safe for fungal acne as a precaution. However, it may not trigger breakouts for everyone.
Learn more about Bacillus FermentButylene 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 Catechins is an antioxidant and is a fragrance.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water is also known as green tea hydrosol. It is the water leftover from steeping or steam-distilling tea.
It's mostly in cosmetics to lend a light tea scent and gentle refreshing feel (tonic) rather than acting as an active.
Unlike the extract, this ingredient only carries trace amounts of catechins, amino acids, and caffeine that makes tea leaf extract famous.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf WaterCyclodextrins are ring-shaped sugar molecules made from starch. It is used to stabilize, protect, and slowly release active ingredients.
This ingredient can help prevent oxidation, reduce irritation from strong actives, and make certain ingredients absorb better once applied.
Once applied to your skin, enzymes gradually break down the cyclodextrin "ring"; this releases the active ingredient in a controlled way.
Learn more about CyclodextrinDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateGlycerin (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 Glycine Soja Germ Extract yet.
Houttuynia Cordata Water is created by distilling parts of the Fish Mint plant. It is an herb native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent. It is used in traditional cooking and medicine.
The components found in Fish Mint give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
This ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract yet.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract comes Peony plant. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Emerging studies also show peony root may help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Ancient Chinese medicine has used peony root to treat dark spots, but studies are looking into this claim more.
Learn more about Paeonia Suffruticosa Root ExtractPropanediol 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 PropanediolWe don't have a description for Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract yet.
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractPeptides are amino acids naturally found in your skin. These amino acids make up many proteins your skin uses. Collagen is made up of peptides. Collagen is responsible for keeping your skin plump and youthful.
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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 HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide 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 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 Gum