What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
Masking3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingAlgae Extract
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
EmollientRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, PEG-14m, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, 1,2-Hexanediol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Algae Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Glucose, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Potassium Hyaluronate, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentNiacinamide
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Magnesium Silicate
Citric Acid
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxybutyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Hyaluronic Acid/Polyisopropylacrylamide Copolymer
HumectantGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentAspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
HumectantWater, Isopentyldiol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 80, Phospholipids, Dipropylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Lactic Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Citric Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxybutyl Methylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Hyaluronic Acid/Polyisopropylacrylamide Copolymer, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Algae Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Sprout Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Algae Extract is a confusing name. This is because algae is an informal term for a group of 30,000 aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize.
The term 'algae extract' can refer to any one, or a blend of, the 30,000 types.
Algae is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Algae can also help with soothing and hydrating skin.
Many different types of algae have different benefits.
Learn more about Algae ExtractCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDipropylene 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 GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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