What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialNephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Tocopherol
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingOctoxynol-9
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOleth-10
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Silybum Marianum Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Phospholipids, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Adenosine, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phytic Acid, Tocopherol, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Arachidyl Glucoside, Octoxynol-9, Arachidyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oleth-10, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Ascorbate, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningGrifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract
EmollientRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingRetinal
Skin ConditioningWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientLentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBenzyl Glycol
SolventRaspberry Ketone
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Niacinamide, Squalane, Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Arginine, Retinal, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Diheptyl Succinate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosterols, Propanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Raspberry Ketone
Reviews
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 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 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 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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