What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientBetaine
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBisabolol
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingEclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAscorbic Acid Polypeptide
AntioxidantSucrose Distearate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Ether, Betaine, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Squalane, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Stearyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cholesterol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Beta-Glucan, Retinal, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Fructooligosaccharides, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Sucrose Distearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Tripeptide-1, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventC15-19 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrated Silica
AbrasivePrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingMannitol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingHectorite
AbsorbentSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxyapatite
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Powder
AbsorbentNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Powder
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveGlucose
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate, Hydrated Silica, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Mannitol, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Hectorite, Sodium Levulinate, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyapatite, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Limon Peel Powder, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Powder, Sclerotium Gum, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Cellulose Gum, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Glucose, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Tocopherol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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
It’s 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 PropanediolRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalSodium 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water