What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantErythritol
HumectantAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientAllium Cepa Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
BufferingBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentMaltooligosyl Glucoside
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Camellia Sinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingZinc PCA
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Erythritol, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Allium Cepa Bulb Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Palmitoyl Camellia Sinensis Extract, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Artemisia Capillaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Allantoin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Chlorphenesin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Ceramide NP, Arginine, Astaxanthin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pantothenic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Hexylresorcinol, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Disodium EDTA, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glycereth-26, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Powder
Glycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDeceth-7
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
PreservativeHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAscorbylpropyl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
HumectantButylparaben
MaskingDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Oryza Sativa Powder, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Sodium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Deceth-7, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Methylparaben, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate, Zinc Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Propyl Hyaluronate, Ascorbylpropyl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate, Butylparaben, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidLactococcus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic created by fermenting Lactoccus lactis, a type of bacteria more commonly used to create Lactic acid.
Postbiotics are inactive molecules produced by probiotic bacteria that provide skin benefits.
This ingredient offers promising benefits, but it is relatively new and more evidence is needed to prove its efficacy. The manufacturer claims this ingredient:
A study from 2022 found this ingredient helped protect skin against damaged from UV exposure (though this should not replace your sunscreen!).
The lysate in the ingredient name refers to a fluid that forms from breaking down the cell membrane.
Learn more about Lactococcus Ferment LysateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerWater. 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