What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCalcium Pantothenate
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantAlgae Extract
EmollientMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Polysorbate 20, Amodimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Isoceteth-20, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Calcium Pantothenate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Propylene Glycol, CI 17200, Algae Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantSilicone Quaternium-8
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCoconut Alkanes
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTrideceth-10
CleansingStarch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
SmoothingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCalcium Pantothenate
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPhytic Acid
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSilica
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Pvp, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Silicone Quaternium-8, Cetrimonium Chloride, Coconut Alkanes, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Trideceth-10, Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Niacinamide, Mentha Piperita Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Calcium Pantothenate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Phytic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Silica, Tocopherol, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Calcium Pantothenate is calcium salt from Vitamin B5. It can be naturally found in plants and animals.
Calcium Pantothenate is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals by donating extra electrons. This may help reduce the signs of aging.
Our bodies use Calcium Pantothenate for various metabolic functinos. These functions include metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fatty acids.
Learn more about Calcium PantothenateThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinNiacinamide 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePyridoxine hydrochloride, also known as vitamin B6, has skin conditioning properties. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is an effective anti-dandruff treatment as it reduces sebum levels and oily spots.
Silica, 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 SilicaSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is more gentle than ascorbic acid. It is also more stable when exposed to light and oxygen.
Vitamin C helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Your skin uses Vitamin C to produce collagen and collagen production plays a role in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. As an antioxidant, this ingredient also helps reduce the signs of aging such as fine-lines and wrinkles.
VItamin C helps brighten skin by blocking the process of skin darkening.
In a 2011 study, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate was found to have antibacterial properties. This may help treat acne.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateWe don't have a description for Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate yet.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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