What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingPoloxamer 235
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBHA
AntioxidantTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingPropanediol
SolventSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Poloxamer 235, Parfum, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Ascorbate, Adenosine, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Disodium EDTA, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, BHT, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Linalool, BHA, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, CI 15985, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCrocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningDextran
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningZantedeschia Elliottiana Flower Extract
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Water, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Saccharide Isomerate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Retinol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Dextran, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Zantedeschia Elliottiana Flower Extract, Bakuchiol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Glycerin 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 NiacinamidePolysorbate 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 20Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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