What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantLauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingCoconut Acid
CleansingSodium Cocoate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Lauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Niacinamide, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Coconut Acid, Sodium Cocoate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Bisulfite, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Citrate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMyristic Acid
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLauric Acid
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXylitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeNiacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
SurfactantPolyquaternium-7
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Cocoate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlucose
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDeoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide Mea
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientDisodium Succinate
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingThreonine
Valine
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Xylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Niacinamide, Parfum, Panthenol, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Polyquaternium-7, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Cocoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Benzoate, Glucose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Nonapeptide-1, Deoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide Mea, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Saccharomyces Lysate, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Disodium Succinate, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Threonine, Valine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has many uses:
- emulsifier
- create a gel-like texture
- boost foam
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 NiacinamideSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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