What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlisma Orientale Tuber Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSmilax Glabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingMenthol
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBerberis Vulgaris Root Extract
AntimicrobialMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientLespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAndrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantMyristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingForsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantAcorus Gramineus Extract
HumectantPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Alisma Orientale Tuber Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Glycerin, Tromethamine, Menthol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Swertia Japonica Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Acorus Gramineus Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Madecassoside, Aspergillus Ferment, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingTrideceth-10
CleansingBetaine
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingClimbazole
AntimicrobialPiroctone Olamine
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentMaltose
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingGlucose
HumectantFoeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningElettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
PerfumingCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingPlantago Asiatica Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningInula Britannica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLysimachia Foenum-Graecum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caffeine, Sodium Polyacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthol, Trideceth-10, Betaine, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Climbazole, Piroctone Olamine, Panthenol, Dextrin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Cyclodextrin, Maltose, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Glucose, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Dna, Inula Britannica Flower Extract, Lysimachia Foenum-Graecum Extract
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.Β
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 preservativesΒ
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycolChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolThis plant derived ingredient has skin conditioning and antioxidant properties.
You may see his ingredient in hair and scalp products because some research suggests it may support hair growth. However, strong human clinical evidence is limited.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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