What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingUndecane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTridecane
PerfumingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Undecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tridecane, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propolis Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Propanediol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Fructooligosaccharides, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Royal Jelly Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Tocopherol
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 AdenosineAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 Japonica Seed Oil comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil is rich in oleic acid. This makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe the skin by forming a barrier. This barrier traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydated.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil comes from the bitter orange, an orange native to Southeast Asia.
This orange is commonly used in cosmetics and food. It is a common ingredient for marmalade.
Citrus peels are often made up of mainly limonene, a fragrance with a citrus scent. They also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis OilEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract comes from the seabuckthorn berry. This berry is native to Asia and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
The seabuckthorn fruit contains carotenoids, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, Vitamin C, linoleic acid, and vitamin E.
The nutritious content of seabuckthorn fruit helps hydrate and nourish the skin. A study from 2018 found seabuckthorn may help with alleviating UV damage due to its anti-inflammatory property. However, it should not replace your sunscreen.
Due to its antioxidant properties, seabuckthorn fruit may help reduce the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight unstable free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Learn more about Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit 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 HydroxyacetophenoneNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.
As an emulsifier, it is used to bind ingredients together. Many ingredients, such as oils and water, separate naturally. Emulsifiers prevent them from separating to ensure even consistency in texture.
One of the manufacturer for this ingredient states it is vegetable-based. It is also claimed to be stable at both high and low temperatures.
This ingredient may not be safe for fungal acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearateThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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