What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcetamide Mea
HumectantPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSh-Polypeptide-123
Skin ProtectingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningApigenin
AntioxidantCalcium Gluconate
HumectantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Acetamide Mea, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Panthenol, Caffeine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Sea Water, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sh-Polypeptide-123, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Apigenin, Calcium Gluconate, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Jojoba Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSucrose Distearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Dextran
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPinene
MaskingCamphor
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sucrose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Dextran, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Pinene, Camphor, Terpineol, Beta-Caryophyllene
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
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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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