What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Lecithin
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Niacinamide, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Citric Acid, Oleanolic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantCanola Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlgae
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Titanium Dioxide, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Propylene Glycol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Glycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Ubiquinone, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tetrapeptide-21, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Canola Oil, Dimethicone, Sucrose Stearate, Silica, Alumina, Butylene Glycol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Algae, Tapioca Starch, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCitric 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 NiacinamideSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water