What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTranexamic Acid
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantUndecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantArbutin
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeAcetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlutathione
Sodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHexapeptide-2
BleachingKojic Acid
AntioxidantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningArisaema Amurense Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFarnesol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Alpha-Arbutin, Arbutin, Citric Acid, Sodium Sulfite, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glutathione, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, PEG-8, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Phytic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hexapeptide-2, Kojic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Arisaema Amurense Extract, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Farnesol, Linalool, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGentiana Scabra Extract
HumectantWater, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Panthenol, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Trisiloxane, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Diglycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Gentiana Scabra 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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDipropylene 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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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 NiacinamideTranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water