What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Humectant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Vinyldimethicone
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Sodium Laurate
CleansingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
Humectant
Malt Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Copaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
C12-13 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Myrtus Communis Oil
Masking
Artemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningRose Flower Oil
Masking
Centella Asiatica Oil
Antimicrobial
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
Antimicrobial
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Taurine
BufferingHydrolyzed Centella Asiatica Extract
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Arachidic Acid
Cleansing
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, 2,3-Butanediol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Vinyldimethicone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Cyclodextrin, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Jojoba Esters, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sodium Laurate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ethoxydiglycol, Xylitylglucoside, Malt Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Anhydroxylitol, Lauric Acid, Ceramide NP, Xylitol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Arginine, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Octyldodecanol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Glycolipids, Polyglycerin-3, C12-13 Alketh-9, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyanocobalamin, Madecassoside, Sucrose Distearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Palmitic Acid, Maltodextrin, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Propanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Stearic Acid, Myrtus Communis Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Rose Flower Oil, Centella Asiatica Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Retinol, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Phytosterols, Resveratrol, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Taurine, Hydrolyzed Centella Asiatica Extract, Phytosphingosine, Collagen Amino Acids, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Sodium Dna, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Alternatives
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
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 AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol 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 PanthenolWater. 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
