What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Nicotinate
SoothingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Isochrysis Galbana Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Dextran
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantQuaternium-51
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Glycine
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citral
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Keratin, Methyl Nicotinate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Tocopherol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Dextran, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Quaternium-51, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycine, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Zinc Chloride, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, T-Butyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glycine
Buffering
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Zinc Chloride
AntimicrobialApigenin
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Jojoba Esters, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylene Glycol, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Alcohol Denat., Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Zinc Chloride, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
Hexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLarix Europaea is a larch tree native to Europe.
It’s one of the key ingredients in Redensyl, an alternative to Minoxidil for hair growth. Redensyl works by targeting stem cells and fibroblasts from the top, inner layer of your skin.
The bark of Larix Europaea is rich in antioxidants and plant compounds such as flavonoids, spiro-polyphenols, and procyanidins.
Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in many plantsand foods like tea, wine, and chocolate. They’re known for their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Larix Europaea Wood 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 ParfumPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium 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 SorbateWe don't have a description for PPG-26-Buteth-26 yet.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium 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 metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
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 WaterZinc chloride is a white crystalline compound. You'll most likely see it in personal care products such as mouthwashes, skincare, hair conditioners, and bath products.
