What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArgania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingJojoba Oil/Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Esters
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Surfactin
CleansingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Medicago Sativa Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caffeine, Pyridoxine Hcl, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Carnosine, Cyclodextrin, Carbomer, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Jojoba Oil/Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Sodium Surfactin, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningFraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
C12-15 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningSilanetriol
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSiloxanetriol Alginate
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPantolactone
HumectantNigella Sativa Seed Extract
PerfumingSasa Quelpaertensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeActinidia Polygama Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Tetrasodium EDTA, C12-15 Pareth-12, Caffeine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Silanetriol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Siloxanetriol Alginate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Benzoate, Pantolactone, Nigella Sativa Seed Extract, Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Sorbic Acid, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract
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
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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 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 NiacinamideThis synthetic peptide is created from lysine, valine, and palmitic acid.
According to the manufacturer, in-vitro studies show tissue growth and collagen synthesis. Another in-vivo study found 60 volunteers saw a significant reduction in wrinkles after 84 days.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this peptide may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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