What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventStearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsocetyl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Linoleate
EmollientHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAminobutyric Acid
PEG-8
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
DMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, Persea Gratissima Oil, Tapioca Starch, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Isocetyl Stearate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Dimethiconol, Propanediol, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Ethyl Linoleate, Hexylresorcinol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Aminobutyric Acid, PEG-8, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Paeonia Lactiflora Leaf Cell Extract
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Polyacrylamide, Paeonia Lactiflora Leaf Cell Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium PCA, Proline, Alanine, Serine, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylpropanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as "C13-14 Isoalkane".
C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.
As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.
C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about C13-14 IsoparaffinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLaureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
This ingredient is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.
Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePolyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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