What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cocos Nucifera Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTromethamine
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBetula Alba Juice
AstringentGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantMalachite Extract
AntioxidantSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientInositol
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCocos Nucifera Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, Trehalose, Sorbitan Isostearate, Betula Alba Juice, Gluconolactone, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Malachite Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Inositol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Juice
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningAlgin
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantTetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Betula Alba Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Papain, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate
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
Betula Alba Juice is the sap from a birch tree named Betula Alba.
Sap from the Betula Alba tree can help sooth and protect the skin. Betula Alba Juice contains tannins and triterpenes. Tannins are an antioxidant that help fight against free-radical molecules. It is also an astringent and may help reduce pore size. Triterpenes have been shown to help heal wounds.
Betula Alba Juice contains manganese and several amino acids.
Learn more about Betula Alba JuiceButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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