What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Methylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPullulan
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentGlutathione
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantKaolin
AbrasiveHydrated Silica
AbrasiveAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningWater, Octyldodecanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Algin, Polysorbate 80, Pullulan, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Glutathione, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Adenosine, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Phytate, Cyanocobalamin, Ascorbic Acid, Kaolin, Hydrated Silica, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Nonapeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Hexapeptide-9, Pentapeptide-3
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantPolyvinyl Alcohol
Niacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentBenzyl Glycol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlgin
MaskingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Mannitol
HumectantSodium Thiosulfate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCollagen
MoisturisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Benzyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Algin, C12-14 Alketh-12, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyanocobalamin, Disodium EDTA, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Mannitol, Sodium Thiosulfate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Potassium Hyaluronate
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
Algin is brown algae. Algae is an informal term for a group of aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize. It is estimated there are at least 30,000 types of Algae.
Algae contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCyanocobalamin is the manufactured version of vitamin B12. It has skin soothing, antioxidant, and barrier protecting properties. Topical cyanocobalamin is used to treat skin irritation and atopic dermatitis.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePolysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80We don't have a description for Polyvinyl Alcohol 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 Water