What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSucrose Stearate
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Malachite Extract
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantChamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Squalane, Caffeine, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sucrose Stearate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Gluconolactone, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Malachite Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Phytosterols, Arginine, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingBoerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, C12-14 Alketh-12, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Adenosine, Parfum, Caramel, Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Lactic Acid, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Oleanolic Acid
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
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
We don't have a description for Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract yet.
Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinDipropylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is used in skincare as a delivery system.
It works by "encapsulating" active ingredients with its unique ring shape that is water-loving on the outside and oil-loving on the inside. This improves the stability and absorption of the product into the skin.
According to a manufacturer, it also offer some moisturizing effects.
Learn more about Hydroxypropyl CyclodextrinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideTromethamine 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 Water