This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier.
This acne serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Houttuynia Cordata Extract to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantErythritol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGellan Gum
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCalcium Chloride
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSea Water
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningKjellmaniella Gyrata Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Xylitol, Erythritol, Glycerin, Gellan Gum, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sea Water, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Saccharide Isomerate, Jania Rubens Extract, Kjellmaniella Gyrata Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Powder
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Pentalaurate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Sprout Extract
AntioxidantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingClitoria Ternatea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Alpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Arginine, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Allantoin, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentalaurate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Betaine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hordeum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Arbutin, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
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 AdenosineButylene 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 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 Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer is made up of glycerin and polyacrylic acid. It helps hydrate your skin as a humectant.
This ingredient forms a hydrogel that delivers moisturizing, water-based ingredients to the skin. It is also used to thicken a product and to give it a smooth texture.
Acrylic acid itself is toxic, but the polymer form (this ingredient) is too large to penetrate skin, making it non-toxic.
Learn more about Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid CopolymerMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractThis ingredient is also known as neem leaf extract. It contains natural compounds like nimbidin, quercetin, and other polyphenols that give it antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Lab studies have shown neem leaf extract can inhibit acne-related bacteria and help calm skin. Animal studies on wound gels using 1-3% neem leaf extract found it sped up healing without causing irritation.
A wound-healing study testing gels with the extract at 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations and found none of them irritated the skin.
Most commercial products also use it in a similar low range (typically under 5%).
Allergy-wise, there are some case reports on neem oil causing allergic contact dermatitis so people with plant/botanical sensitivities may want to patch test first.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol 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 PropanediolPVM/MA Copolymer is a synthetic and high-molecular weight polymer. It is used to create a flexible film that helps ingredients "stick together" on hair or skin. It also helps reduce static, help emulsions behave, and tweaks the thickness and flow of a product.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in hair styling products because that film is what helps styles last.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum