What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Parfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyisobutene
Arginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Nelumbo Nucifera Phytoplacenta Culture Extract
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-35 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
HumectantSerine
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine
BufferingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientGlutamic Acid
HumectantCeteth-5
EmulsifyingCeteth-3
EmulsifyingInositol
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantothenate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
CleansingSucrose Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientGlycosphingolipids
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylate-13, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Polyisobutene, Arginine, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Nelumbo Nucifera Phytoplacenta Culture Extract, Polysorbate 20, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium PCA, Serine, Retinol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Tocopherol, Glycine, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Alanine, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Glutamic Acid, Ceteth-5, Ceteth-3, Inositol, Retinyl Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Linoleic Acid, Sucrose Stearate, Stearic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Palmitic Acid, Glycosphingolipids, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAsparagus Cochinchinensis Extract
Skin ProtectingGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantPrunus Mume Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingNelumbo Nucifera Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Methylpropanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Adenosine, Sorbitan Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Carbomer, Arginine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 20, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Raspberry Ketone, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum
Reviews
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
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 AdenosineArginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis ingredient is an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetearyl Glucoside is a surfactant and emulsifier. It can be produced from synthetic of natural sources of cetearyl alcohol and glucose.
Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating, such as oils and waters. It can also be used to enhance the texture of products.
As a surfactant, Cetearyl Glucoside helps during the cleansing process. By gathering all the dirt and oils, it allows these molecules to be washed away easily.
Learn more about Cetearyl GlucosideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polydecene is an emollient. It creates a non-occlusive film on the skin that offers extra protection for your skin barrier.
The texture of Hydrogenated Polydecene ranges from light and silky to rich.
Hydrogenated Polydecene is the end compound of controlled hydrogenation of Polydecene.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide 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 ParfumPolyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum