What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycolic Acid 15%
BufferingNiacinamide 5%
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid 2%
MaskingAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Retinol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-10
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantBHA
AntioxidantWater, Alcohol Denat., Glycolic Acid 15%, Niacinamide 5%, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid 2%, Ammonium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Oligopeptide-10, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Honey Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT, BHA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyacrylate-13
Butylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Triethylhexanoin, Dicaprylyl Ether, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Octyldodecanol, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Polyacrylate-13, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, 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.
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.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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