What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMadecassoside
AntioxidantPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Madecassoside, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientBetaine
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLactic Acid
BufferingPlatycarya Strobilacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPsoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantTriethylene Glycol
MaskingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Betaine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethoxydiglycol, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Platycarya Strobilacea Extract, Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Triethylene Glycol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 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 EDTANiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic 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