What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
MaskingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Polyquaternium-51, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPiper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Butylene Glycol
HumectantInositol
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Niacinamide, Betaine, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Polyacrylamide, Butylene Glycol, Inositol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, CI 15985, CI 17200
Reviews
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated 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 NiacinamideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum