What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-16 Alcohols
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Prunus Domestica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyisobutene
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Steareth-20
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Glucose
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningPotassium Chloride
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Chloride
AstringentMagnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Alanine
MaskingHistidine
Humectant
Valine
MaskingChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
Cleansing
Leucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Serine
Masking
2'-Deoxyadenosine
Cystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDeoxycytidine
Deoxyguanosine
Thymidine
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Ornithine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningAminobutyric Acid
Methionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningGlucuronolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningDisodium Flavine Adenine Dinucleotide
Sodium Trimetaphosphate
BufferingRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Niacin
Smoothing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Folic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Phosphate
CleansingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-16 Alcohols, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-8, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sucrose Palmitate, Parfum, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Steareth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glyceryl Linoleate, Polysorbate 20, Tromethamine, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Polyacrylate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Potassium Chloride, Dipeptide-2, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Sodium Phosphate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Tocopherol, Lysine Hcl, Arginine, Alanine, Histidine, Valine, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Serine, 2'-Deoxyadenosine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Deoxycytidine, Deoxyguanosine, Thymidine, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Aminobutyric Acid, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine, Coenzyme A, Glucuronolactone, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Disodium Flavine Adenine Dinucleotide, Sodium Trimetaphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Tocopheryl Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Triethanolamine
BufferingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Dextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitol
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningEperua Falcata Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Boron Nitride, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Palmitic Acid, Caffeine, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Myristic Acid, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Eperua Falcata Bark Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin 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 NiacinamidePalmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
As an emollient, palmitic acid helps soften and smooth the skin by preventing water loss. In cleansers, it helps remove oil and dirt while creating foam.
Its emulsifying properties help stabilize products by keeping water and oil-based ingredients from separating.
This may not be suitable for fungal acne-prone skin, as fatty acids like this can sometimes trigger breakouts in sensitive individuals.
Learn more about Palmitic AcidPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Polysorbate 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 20Water. 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 Water
