What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ag
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
2,3-Butanediol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Squalane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, C15-19 Alkane, Silica, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate, Beta-Glucan, Ectoin, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Ag, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Trehalose, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
Perfuming
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate-13
Vinyldimethicone
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dextrin
AbsorbentCholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingChitosan
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Antioxidant
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35
Antioxidant
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-29
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-32
Antiseborrhoeic
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-16
Skin Protecting
Sh-Polypeptide-22
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-62
Antioxidant
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1)
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Methylpropanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Polysorbate 60, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Stearate, Behenic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate-13, Vinyldimethicone, Batyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl Isostearate, Polyisobutene, Ceramide NP, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Retinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Chitosan, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Resveratrol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Dipeptide-2, Dipeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, Hexapeptide-9, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35, Nonapeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-62, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1), Tetrapeptide-30, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-29
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5 is a synthetic signal lipopeptide. This just means it is a three amino acid chain bolted onto a palmitic acid tail so it can slip through the skin's lipid barrier.
This peptide has a "build more, lose less" approach.
It's designed to mimic the collagen-stimulating activity in your skin by copying a snippet of one of your skin's own matrix proteins. This nudges fibroblasts into making more collagen while inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down skin protein.
The manufacturer's in vivo study of 45 volunteers found 1% and 2.5% reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 7% and 12% respectively, after using it twice daily for 84 days.
This is in the expected range for peptides; they're slow and cumulative actives and not overnight fixers.
Typical use levels range from 1-3% and this ingredient gets along with pretty much everything.
On the fungal acne front:
Although palmitic acid sits in the chain length that Malassezia can feed on, this ingredient has it locked in an amine bond. This makes it hard for Malassezia to access as a source of food, and therefore fungal acne safe.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
