What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBakuchiol
AntimicrobialTulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningCannabis Sativa Leaf Extract
EmollientCannabis Sativa Seed/Stem Oil
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMalic Acid
BufferingCrithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPinus Cembra Wood Extract
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSaponaria Pumila Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingIsomalt
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Kinetin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingIndole Acetic Acid
Skin ConditioningTropolone
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Lauryl Laurate, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bakuchiol, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Cannabis Sativa Leaf Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed/Stem Oil, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Malic Acid, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Lecithin, Pinus Cembra Wood Extract, Phospholipids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Saponaria Pumila Callus Culture Extract, Lactic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Isomalt, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Kinetin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Citric Acid, Indole Acetic Acid, Tropolone
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantUrsolic Acid
MaskingRetinal 0.05%
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Bakuchiol
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
EmollientRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingHonokiol
AntioxidantMagnolol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventCyclodextrin
AbsorbentArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlucose
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ursolic Acid, Retinal 0.05%, Glutathione, Bakuchiol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Phospholipids, Superoxide Dismutase, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Honokiol, Magnolol, Tocopherol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Cyclodextrin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Palmitate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glucose, Citric Acid, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.
It has similar effects as retinol: skin smoothing, reducing discoloration, and preventing wrinkles. It does not cause as much irritation as traditional retinoids.
Bakuchiol works by breaking down free radicals and stimulating collagen production in skin.
Combining bakuchiol with retinol will not have adverse side effects. Studies show using them will just boost the benefits. Bakuchiol is also found to help stabilize retinol.
While bakuchiol does not make the skin more sun sensitive, we recommend wearing SPF on a daily basis.
Read more about traditional retinol
Learn more about BakuchiolBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololCitric 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 AcidDimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. This gives it skin brightening and soothing properties.
While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.
One thing to note is the presence of tannins; tannins are naturally found in nature. However, this compound may be skin-sensitizing.
Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractPhospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.
Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.
Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as both humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in.
The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin.
Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.
This ingredient is non-occlusive.
Some types of phospholipids:
Learn more about PhospholipidsSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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