What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialUndecane
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingTridecane
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Bisabolol
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica Silylate
EmollientZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantMethyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Phenylpropanol
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Undecane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Niacinamide, Tridecane, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica Silylate, Zea Mays Starch, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Phenylpropanol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Silica, Dimethicone, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingC13-15 Alkane
SolventSqualane
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventRetinal
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, C13-15 Alkane, Squalane, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Retinal, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol