What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAmodimethicone
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCanola Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Sec-Alketh-5
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingBrassica Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-5
EmulsifyingCeteareth-3
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Amodimethicone, Polysorbate 80, Butylene Glycol, Canola Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-14 Sec-Alketh-5, Adenosine, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Retinol, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Brassica Alcohol, Ceteareth-5, Ceteareth-3, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, BHT, Cholesterol, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Lecithin, Sodium Phosphate, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Soluble Collagen, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Coumarin, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyisobutene
Fructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCollagen
MoisturisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSucrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientAscorbic Acid Polypeptide
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingLauryl Alcohol
EmollientAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Methyl Trimethicone, C12-16 Alcohols, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyisobutene, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Collagen, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sucrose, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Myristyl Alcohol, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Lauryl Alcohol, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Methylpropanediol, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin 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 NiacinamideParfum 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 ParfumPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20This long ingredient is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers.
It is used to help stabilize other ingredients and create a thicker gel-like texture.
Emulsifiers prevent oils and waters from separating.
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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