What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingWater, Azelaic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Caffeine, Panthenol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate, Sodium Phytate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantArginine PCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingWater, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Linoleic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alpha-Arbutin, Arginine PCA, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Hexylresorcinol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Ceramide Ng, Linolenic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Algin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololThis 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 TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinLinoleic Acid is also known as Vitamin F. It is a fatty acid with emollient and skin conditioning properties. Our top layer of skin, or epidermis, contains high amounts of linoleic acid naturally.
Your body uses linoleic acid to build ceramides and prostaglandins. Ceramides keep your skin's barrier hydrated and strong while prosaglandins help control inflammation and healing. Needless to say, linoleic acid is crucial for having a strong skin barrier.
One study found applying linoleic acid rich sunflower oil to be more effective at repairing the skin barrier than oleic rich olive oil.
Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, meaning our bodies cannot create it on its own. We need to get linoleic acid through foods such as nuts and vegetable oils.
Acne-prone skin tends to have linoleic acid and high levels of oleic acid.
Linoleic acid can also help treat acne by softening sebum to prevent clogged pores. Another study found using 2.5% linoleic acid gel for 4 weeks showed a 25% reduction in small comedones.
This ingredient can also help lighten hyperpigmentation or sun spots by disrupting the melanin production process. It also helps your skin shed melanin pigment from your skin caused by UV exposure.
Due to its role in the production of the fatty acid prostaglandin, linoleic acid can also help reduce inflammation and support wound healing.
Linoleic acid is not always fungal-acne safe; it may trigger flare-ups in sensitive individuals.
Learn more about Linoleic AcidLinolenic Acid is also known as "ALA" or alpha-linolenic acid. It is a fatty acid used to hydrate skin and hair.
This ingredient can help with soothing irritated skin and reducing hyperpigmentation by disrupting the melanin production process.
Fun fact: This ingredient is considered an essential fatty acid for humans. This means our bodies cannot naturally produce it and we must get it from food.
Some foods rich in linolenic acid include: walnuts, fish oils, soy, and canola.
A deficiency in linolenic acid may be linked to skin disorders like eczema.
Another essential fatty acid is Linoleic Acid.
Learn more about Linolenic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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 PropanediolSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Water. 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