What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasivePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Jojoba Esters
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingMannitol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantXylitol
HumectantAndrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract
AstringentRhamnose
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingTocopherol
AntioxidantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Octocrylene, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dipropylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Niacinamide, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Jojoba Esters, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Decyl Glucoside, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Xanthan Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lysine, Azelaic Acid, Mannitol, Polyglycerin-3, Xylitol, Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract, Rhamnose, Propylene Glycol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tocopherol, Fructooligosaccharides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAzelaic Acid
BufferingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-10, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Phytosterols, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceramide NP, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Niacinamide, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Lecithin, Caprylyl Methicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Azelaic Acid, Pyridoxine Hcl, Zinc PCA, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes azelaic special?
The best thing about azelaic acid is it's gentleness. It's generally well-tolerated and safe to use alongside other actives like niacinamide or salicylic acid.
Unlike AHAs, azelaic acid will not make you photosensitive/sun sensitive.
You can find this ingredient naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. In cosmetics, azelaic acid is typically lab-made, which is more stable and effective.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root 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 NiacinamideTocopheryl 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