What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Silica
AbrasivePEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Niacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-5
Biosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingResveratrol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Niacinamide, Parfum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-5, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Resveratrol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Titanium Dioxide, C14-22 Alcohols, Dimethicone, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin 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 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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