What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyacrylate-13
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantErythritol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingXylitol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantGlucose
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHomarine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tromethamine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Erythritol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xylitol, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glucose, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Ceramide NP, Benzyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Homarine Hcl, Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialOctyldodecanol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsohexadecane
EmollientHydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
Buffering2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Octyldodecanol, Caprylyl Methicone, Betaine, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 Water