What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSucrose Distearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP, Xanthan Gum, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sucrose Distearate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Tranexamate Mesylate
Skin ConditioningC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiamond Powder
AbrasiveSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSilybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingTerminalia Chebula Extract
AstringentBisabolol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDextran
Sodium Phytate
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Glycerin, Cetyl Tranexamate Mesylate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Alpha-Arbutin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Hexapeptide-11, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Nonapeptide-1, Zinc Oxide, Diamond Powder, Superoxide Dismutase, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, 4-Butylresorcinol, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide EOP, Resveratrol, Astaxanthin, Cholesterol, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Terminalia Chebula Extract, Bisabolol, Squalane, Maltodextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, Dextran, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Oleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Cetyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinCeramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
Learn more about Ceramide APCeramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1 and Ceramide 1 A.
EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin. They bind dead skin cells together to create a barrier. The ceramides in our skin have the ability to hold water to keep our skin hydrated.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A strong skin barrier helps with:
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolDipropylene 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 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 Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateGlycyrrhiza 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 ExtractHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinNiacinamide 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.
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 Water