What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSucrose Palmitate
EmollientTriisostearin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantGlucosylrutin
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialTrehalose
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Soluble Collagen, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sucrose Palmitate, Triisostearin, Tromethamine, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Glucosylrutin, Ceramide NP, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dextrin, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Bakuchiol, Trehalose, Dipropylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Octyldodecanol, Phosphatidylcholine, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Glycolipids, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sorbitol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventMethylpropanediol
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantResveratrol
Antioxidant4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMenadione
MaskingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningDiamond Powder
AbrasiveSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTrehalose
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantLecithin
EmollientAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Methylpropanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Astaxanthin, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Resveratrol, 4-Butylresorcinol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Menadione, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Linolenic Acid, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ferulic Acid, Xanthophylls, Diamond Powder, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Trehalose, Proline, Phenylalanine, Glycine, Lysine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Lecithin, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Tromethamine, Dextrin, Carbomer, Maltodextrin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol
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 AdenosineBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol 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 PanthenolPentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (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 TocopherolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseTromethamine 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. 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