What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine Ferulate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantMagnolia Sieboldii Extract
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSclareolide
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingUndecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningGlabridin
BleachingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Niacinamide, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Propanediol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine Ferulate, Pentylene Glycol, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lecithin, Steareth-20, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trideceth-9, Sodium Ascorbate, Magnolia Sieboldii Extract, Tripeptide-1, Ceramide NP, Sclareolide, Propylene Glycol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Parfum, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Mannitol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Hexapeptide-9, Glabridin, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Citric Acid, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Ergothioneine, Silica, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantBoerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPullulan
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventSodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Lecithin, Pullulan, Panthenol, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about 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 NiacinamidePentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water