What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingVinyldimethicone
Dicaprylyl Ether
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantXylitylglucoside
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Oil
AntimicrobialMethylpropanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingGlucose
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingSodium Laurate
CleansingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCopaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
AntimicrobialSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingTaurine
BufferingGlycogen
HumectantHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientEctoin
Skin ConditioningCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSucrose Distearate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Oil
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrtus Communis Oil
MaskingRose Flower Oil
MaskingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCamphor
MaskingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingLavandula Oil/Extract
Linalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Vinyldimethicone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Stearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Beeswax, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Xylitylglucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Anhydroxylitol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Asiatic Acid, Glycoproteins, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Xylitol, Centella Asiatica Oil, Methylpropanediol, Allantoin, Propanediol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Xanthan Gum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Laurate, Cyclodextrin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Lauric Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Octyldodecanol, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycolipids, Caffeine, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, C12-13 Pareth-9, Collagen Amino Acids, Ceramide NP, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Resveratrol, Arginine, Taurine, Glycogen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Ectoin, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Retinol, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol, Sucrose Distearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Dna, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Myrtus Communis Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Aspartic Acid, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Camphor, Beta-Caryophyllene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Lavandula Oil/Extract, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSmilax Medica Root Extract
TonicCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantMagnesium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantManganese PCA
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Alcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Distarch Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Smilax Medica Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Octyldodecanol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Dna, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Adenosine, Sodium PCA, Madecassoside, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Manganese PCA, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDipropylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Madecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosideNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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