What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMirabilis Jalapa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingRosmarinyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCaffeyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGallyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Cyclodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinal, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Mirabilis Jalapa Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Saccharide Isomerate
Water
Skin ConditioningCopaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPanax Notoginseng Root Extract
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Leaf Cell Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingSophora Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ProtectingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantThioctic Acid
AntioxidantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingPhytic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Diheptyl Succinate, Squalane, Niacinamide, Panax Notoginseng Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Leaf Cell Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Thioctic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tribehenin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolThis 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin (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 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.Β
Itβs 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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