What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglycerin-3, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Carbomer, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Fructooligosaccharides, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCeteareth-20
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalvia Sclarea Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingRose Flower Oil
MaskingJasminum Officinale Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Bisabolol
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolyisobutene
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Xylitol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentSucrose
HumectantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Methylpropanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polyglycerin-3, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Ceteareth-20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Bisabolol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Anhydroxylitol, Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Xylitol, Xanthan Gum, Fructooligosaccharides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Disodium EDTA, Beta-Glucan, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dextrin, Sucrose, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hexapeptide-9, Tocopherol, Disodium Phosphate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene 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 GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract comes from the false daisy plant. False daisy contains antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids.
One study found false daisy to absorb UVA and UVB radiation. However, this should not replace your sunscreen.
False daisy is used in both traditional medicines and foods throughout Southeast Asia and India.
Learn more about Eclipta Prostrata Leaf ExtractFructooligosaccharides is an alternative sweetener. It is often derived from the blue agave plant.
This ingredient is a prebiotic and helps to hydrate the skin. Emerging studies are also showing fructooligosaccharides to have antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, Fructooligosaccharides helps draw moisture to the skin, helping to hydrate the skin.
Bananas, onions, garlic, asparagus, jÃcama, and leeks also contain fructooligosaccharides.
Learn more about FructooligosaccharidesGlycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.
One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.
Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Laminaria Japonica Extract comes from a kelp more commonly known as 'sweet kelp'. It is commonly eaten in Japan, Korea, and China.
Sweet kelp is a humectant and helps hydrate your skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin.
Studies show Laminaria Japonica has antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging. Kelp also contains magnesium and zinc, making it great for calming inflammation and redness.
Learn more about Laminaria Japonica ExtractMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideWe don't have a description for Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract yet.
Polyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum