What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Myristic Acid
CleansingPolyquaternium-7
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingLauric Acid
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPhytic Acid
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantUrea
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Algin
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPullulan
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Myristic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Lauric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Arbutin, Niacinamide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Phytic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trehalose, Urea, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Pullulan, Potassium Phosphate
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantResveratrol
AntioxidantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonia Acidissima Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBroussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMadecassoside
AntioxidantRhus Semialata Extract
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantDextran
Nonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningEuglena Gracilis Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Water, Panthenol, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cyclodextrin, Polydextrose, Resveratrol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, Alpha-Arbutin, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonia Acidissima Extract, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Broussonetia Papyrifera Bark Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Madecassoside, Rhus Semialata Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Nonapeptide-1, Euglena Gracilis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidAlpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
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