What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycereth-26
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingVinyldimethicone
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAbelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlucose
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningDesamido Collagen
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSoluble Collagen
HumectantCollagen
MoisturisingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingProcollagen
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Vinyldimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Bakuchiol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Abelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glucose, Ceramide NP, Glycolipids, Retinal, Atelocollagen, Desamido Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Procollagen
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingLactic Acid
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Retinal, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phytic Acid, 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.
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
Butylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 NiacinamideRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about Retinal