What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientArbutin
AntioxidantKojic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSalicylic Acid
MaskingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCeteareth-12
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Arbutin, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Tocopherol, Ceteareth-12, Lecithin, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Disodium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventTranexamic Acid
AstringentAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantUndecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
AntioxidantHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tranexamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Alpha-Arbutin, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Hexylresorcinol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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