What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cera Alba
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Iron Oxides
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
Emulsifying
Isododecane
EmollientEthylene/Methacrylate Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
Emulsifying
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogen Dimethicone
Chromium Oxide Greens
Triethyl Citrate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Boron Nitride
Absorbent
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Sodium Glycerophosphate
Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientPotassium Magnesium Aspartate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Magnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cera Alba, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Panthenol, Diglycerin, Iron Oxides, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Isododecane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Chromium Oxide Greens, Triethyl Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Alcohol, Asiaticoside, Adenosine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Boron Nitride, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Polysorbate 20, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Sodium Glycerophosphate, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Potassium Magnesium Aspartate, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Madecassoside, Magnesium Gluconate, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7.2%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSteareth-100
Gel FormingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Perlite
Absorbent
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7.2%, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Silica, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Steareth-100, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Myristic Acid, Perlite, Palmitic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 NiacinamideStearic 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 AcidWater. 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
