What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Juice Extract
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcer Saccharum Sap
HumectantGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Nitrate
SoothingSodium Phosphate
BufferingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acer Saccharum Sap, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Artemisia Princeps Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Decapeptide-6
Antioxidant
Octapeptide-7
Skin Protecting
Oligopeptide-28
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-29
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-30
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-31
Antioxidant
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-9
Humectant
Sh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
Cleansing
Benzyl Glycol
SolventCeteth-3
EmulsifyingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Mannitol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sucrose
Humectant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Niacinamide, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactic Acid, Artemisia Princeps Extract, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Decapeptide-6, Octapeptide-7, Oligopeptide-28, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-30, Oligopeptide-31, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-9, Sh-Pentapeptide-19, Diamond Powder, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Benzyl Glycol, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Cetyl Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Mannitol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Silica, Zea Mays Starch, Sucrose, Acacia Senegal Gum, Octyldodeceth-16, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Cetearyl Glucoside
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the productâs pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic 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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
