What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentMethylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCalcium Chloride
AstringentCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Diglycerin, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Algin, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Chloride, CI 19140, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Cysteamine Hcl
AntioxidantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Hybrida Herb Oil
PerfumingTannic Acid
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylamide, Cysteamine Hcl, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Laureth-7, Allantoin, Lavandula Hybrida Herb Oil, Tannic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water