What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSalicylic Acid
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingParachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAzelaic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentAmylopectin
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhytic Acid
Butylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Collagen Amino Acids, Parachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Azelaic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Amylopectin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phytic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLuffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingFoeniculum Vulgare Oil
EmollientCitrus Aurantifolia Juice
CleansingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingRosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Martini Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCrataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBelamcanda Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-20
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Glyceryl Isostearate
PEG-50 Glyceryl Isostearate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventSodium Citrate
BufferingPentasodium Pentetate
Citric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Juice, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Limon Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-20, PEG-30 Glyceryl Isostearate, PEG-50 Glyceryl Isostearate, Propanediol, Sodium Citrate, Pentasodium Pentetate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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 Water