What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrideceth-10
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Dna, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Trideceth-10, Madecassoside, Arginine, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Asiaticoside, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Ceramide NP, Glycolipids, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Malt Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrolyzed Salmon Ovary Membrane Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientDipeptide-15
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingAloe Vera Callus Extract
AntioxidantGinkgo Biloba Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningEchinacea Purpurea Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantArtemisia Princeps Callus Extract
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLotus Corniculatus Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ProtectingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Sodium Dna, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Salmon Ovary Membrane Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dipeptide-15, Oligopeptide-1, Glycine, Aloe Vera Callus Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Callus Culture Extract, Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Callus Culture Extract, Artemisia Princeps Callus Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Lotus Corniculatus Leaf Cell Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Zinc Chloride, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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
Butylene 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 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.
Glycerin 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium DNA is an emerging anti-aging ingredient.
It is created by taking deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and purifying it with sodium hydroxide.
The DNA is extracted from several different animal sources, including: calf thymus, the gonadic tissue of a male sturgeon, or herring / salmon sperm.
You have probably seen this ingredient in anti-aging skincare. But what is it?
DNA is composed of nucleotides, or chemical building blocks. Nucleotides include adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Talk about a flashback to biology! Nucleosides are formed from these nucleotides.
The science behind Sodium DNA is based on an ingredient called Polydeoxyribonucleotide or PDRN.
PDRN are DNA fragments mainly extracted from the sperm cells of trout or salmon. Meaning, PDRN can be derived from Sodium DNA.
PDRN consists of chains of nucleotides and nucleosides mentioned above. They can range anywhere from 80 - 2000 pairs.
Studies show PDRN has the following properties:
Most of the research on PDRN has been done using injectable forms. That’s important, because PDRN is a large molecule and doesn’t absorb well through the skin. So if you’re applying it topically, the effects are likely to be much milder.
Still, topical Sodium DNA is emerging as a trendy anti-aging ingredient. It’s generally well-tolerated and offers good biocompatibility with human skin, making it a low-risk addition to most routines.
Further studies are needed to truly confirm this ingredients anti-aging ability (Remember, retinol has decades of research!).
When using this ingredient, is is best to ask a brand about the source of their Sodium DNA. You'll want to find products where the Sodium DNA is sourced from fish. Some Sodium DNA is derived from calf / cow thymus.
Needless to say, this ingredient is not vegan.
Learn more about Sodium DnaWater. 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