What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGarcinia Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDimethicone
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialTriethanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Tocopherol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octenidine Hcl, Triethanolamine, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSucrose Polystearate
EmollientJojoba Esters
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningRhizobian Gum
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Sucrose Polystearate, Jojoba Esters, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Yeast Extract, Rhizobian Gum, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglycerin-3, PEG-8, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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