What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol Cocoate
EmulsifyingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylcellulose
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCI 18965
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Isostearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Salicylic Acid, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 18965, CI 61570
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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