What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHarungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingPropanediol, Niacinamide, Water, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Glycine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Mentha Piperita Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Triolein
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa Extract, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Triolein, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Water, Squalane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethoxydiglycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water