What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBetaine
HumectantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosa Rugosa Flower Oil
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract
AstringentBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentZinc PCA
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Betaine, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Rugosa Flower Oil, Salicylic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Gluconolactone, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Zinc PCA, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingIsododecane
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, CI 77891, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylyl Methicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Stearic Acid, Isododecane, Sorbitan Olivate, Silica, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, C20-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Parfum, CI 77491
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
Caprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeCeramide 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 NPCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Glycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideWater. 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