What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingTrideceth-10
CleansingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
CI 77491
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentTin Oxide
AbrasiveLactobionic Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingTartaric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Stearic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, CI 77891, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Dimethiconol, Sorbitan Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Oleate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Trideceth-10, Adenosine, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77491, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silica, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Tin Oxide, Lactobionic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientZinc Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
SmoothingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingOzokerite
Emulsion StabilisingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantUlva Lactuca Extract
Skin ConditioningSolidago Virgaurea Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyra Yezoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Cloustoni Extract
Skin ProtectingEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingCodium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningAgarum Cribrosum Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHexyl Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Microcrystalline Wax, Glycerin, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Zinc Stearate, Niacinamide, Beeswax, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Ozokerite, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Ulva Lactuca Extract, Solidago Virgaurea Extract, Porphyra Yezoensis Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Laminaria Cloustoni Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Codium Fragile Extract, Agarum Cribrosum Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Alternatives
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumWater. 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