What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
BufferingGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPassiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLecithin
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSucrose Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Caffeine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Propanediol, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Citric Acid, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Ubiquinone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sucrose Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningHesperidin
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingCeramide 3
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Caffeine, Hesperidin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Isopropyl Palmitate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Ceramide 3
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineThis 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 TriglycerideGlycerin 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is used in skincare as a delivery system.
It works by "encapsulating" active ingredients with its unique ring shape that is water-loving on the outside and oil-loving on the inside. This improves the stability and absorption of the product into the skin.
According to a manufacturer, it also offer some moisturizing effects.
Learn more about Hydroxypropyl CyclodextrinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideThis synthetic, signal peptide has unique skin conditioning properties in that is a matrikine-mimetic compound.
First of all, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 is a signal peptide; signal peptides tell the body to create more collagen.
What is a matrikine-mimetic compound?
This peptide has the ability to mimic matrikines in skin. Our skin created matrikines by breaking down matrix proteins into peptides.
Matrikines play a role in:
Though further research is needed, this ingredient seems pretty promising. In one study, women over the age of 40 with visible photoaging used a vitamin C serum with this ingredient for 56 days (15% ascorbid acid, 5 ppm palmitoyl tripeptide‐38). The results found improvement in skin roughness and skin tone.
This peptide is also part of the famous Matrixyl synthe’6, a blend of ingredients that also includes glycerin, water, and hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38This synthetic peptide is created from lysine, valine, and palmitic acid.
According to the manufacturer, in-vitro studies show tissue growth and collagen synthesis. Another in-vivo study found 60 volunteers saw a significant reduction in wrinkles after 84 days.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this peptide may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5Phenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholSodium 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 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