What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion Stabilising3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lactic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Lactate
BufferingSqualane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCoconut Alkanes
EmollientSodium Lactate
BufferingPotassium Lactate
BufferingCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCholecalciferol
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-5 Lactate
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingWater, Ammonium Lactate, Squalane, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Coconut Alkanes, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Lactate, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholecalciferol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Glycereth-5 Lactate, Cholesterol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateEthylhexylglycerin 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 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.
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