What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyester-5
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylpropanediol
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Parfum
MaskingHydroxypropyl Starch
Glyceryl Caprylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantZinc PCA
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPolyacrylate-21
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicArtemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientC11-15 Pareth-40
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeNitrogen
Water, Polyester-5, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Glyceryl Caprylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Troxerutin, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Zinc PCA, Caffeine, Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polyacrylate-21, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Acrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Ceramide NP, Medicago Sativa Extract, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyglutamate, Cholesterol, C11-15 Pareth-40, C11-15 Pareth-7, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Potassium Sorbate, Nitrogen
Water
Skin ConditioningAmp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Polyester-5
Alcohol
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingSuccinic Acid
BufferingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid Polypeptide
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantMalachite Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingWater, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyester-5, Alcohol, Niacinamide, Ferulic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sucrose Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Parfum, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Ergothioneine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Succinic Acid, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Malachite Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract
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
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAscorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
We don't have a description for Gentiana Scabra Root Extract yet.
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract comes from the witch hazel plant.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel has astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties.
The tannin content of witch hazel constrict the appearance of pores by drying out proteins. Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
However, witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing due to the tannin and fragrance compounds.
North American Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana ExtractHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
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 NiacinamideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Polyester-5 yet.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water