What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantRaffinose
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSucrose Distearate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCarnosine
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Oil
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Raffinose, Cyclohexasiloxane, Pentylene Glycol, Trehalose, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Dna, Lactobacillus Ferment, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycosyl Trehalose, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Sucrose Distearate, Lecithin, Carbomer, Polyquaternium-51, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate, BHT, Cyanocobalamin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Carnosine, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Panax Ginseng Root, Retinol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycereth-26
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Dna, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAdenosine 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.
It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.
Learn more about Glycereth-26Glycerin (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 NiacinamidePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum