What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingMyristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingSqualene
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13, Butylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Propanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Squalene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantShea Butter Cetyl Esters
Skin ConditioningShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
EmollientSea Water
HumectantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHinokitiol
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Gum Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPinus Cembra Wood Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Shea Butter Cetyl Esters, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Sea Water, C12-16 Alcohols, Behenyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Poria Cocos Extract, Tetrapeptide-14, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hinokitiol, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract, Honey Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pinus Cembra Wood Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractThis 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 GlycolCarthamus tinctorius seed oil comes from safflower, one of humanity's oldest crops.
Safflower seed oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid and oleic acid. It also contains Vitamin E. These three components are effective moisturizers.
Vitamin E helps nourish your skin's lipid barrier. It is also a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or unstable molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Due to its high fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis safe.
Thoughout history, safflower has been used for dying fabrics and in food as a saffron substitute.
Learn more about Carthamus Tinctorius Seed OilDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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