What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Mannitol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Mannitol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carbomer, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Citric Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientās final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
