What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingUltramarines
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Dimethicone
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methyl Trimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ultramarines, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Boron Nitride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Dimethicone, CI 77499, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBoron Nitride
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningLauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propanediol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Disiloxane, Methyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Silica, Mica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Boron Nitride, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octyldodecanol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineBoron Nitride is compound consisting of boron and nitrogen. It is used to absorb oil and modify adherence/ slip in products.
This means it is often used in makeup products to help them last longer.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateMethyl Trimethicone is a type of silicone. It is a solvent and emulsifier.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Methyl Trimethicone does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about Methyl TrimethiconeNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxanePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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