What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Chloride
MaskingNelumbo Nucifera Callus Culture Extract
AntimicrobialCoral Powder
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningUsnea Barbata Extract
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialButyrospermum Parkii Seedcake Extract
Skin ProtectingArgania Spinosa Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingMourera Fluviatilis Extract
Skin ConditioningAmethyst Powder
AbrasivePearl Powder
Tourmaline
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSucrose
HumectantSodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingArginine
MaskingPCA
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhytic Acid
PEG-8
HumectantPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Nelumbo Nucifera Callus Culture Extract, Coral Powder, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Seedcake Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Mourera Fluviatilis Extract, Amethyst Powder, Pearl Powder, Tourmaline, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Sorbitan Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cetyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Sucrose, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Serine, Arginine, PCA, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Alanine, Threonine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytic Acid, PEG-8, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingBuddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterNelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-15
UV FilterSilica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantLinolenic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
Cleansing7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Phenethyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, CI 77891, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polysilicone-15, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Octyldodecanol, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Adenosine, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Tocopherol, Linolenic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glutathione, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Calcium Chloride, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-16 Alcohols, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, CI 77492, CI 77491
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideButylene 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 GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 NiacinamideWe don't have a description for Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract yet.
Parfum 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolThis ingredient is an emulsifer and stabilizer. It comes from isostearic acid and polyglycerin.
As an emulsifier, it helps blend oil and water to improve texture, spreadbility, and application.
Due to it being derived from isostearic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-4 IsostearateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidXanthan 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