What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyacrylamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentAmylopectin
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ascorbic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Amylopectin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate-13
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Polyacrylate-13, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
