What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C15-19 Alkane
SolventLauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Shikimic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactobionic Acid
Buffering
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinalyl Acetate
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Arginine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Dibutyl Adipate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, C15-19 Alkane, Lauroyl Lysine, Niacinamide, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Shikimic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Tocopherol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Ectoin, Coco-Caprylate, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Cetyl Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-4 Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Mannitol, Lecithin, Coco-Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Linalyl Acetate, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Citric Acid
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
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideWater. 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 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
