What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientTridecane
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Nephelium Lappaceum Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Dextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Malic Acid
Buffering
Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Formate
Buffering
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Undecane, Tridecane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Nephelium Lappaceum Peel Extract, Carbomer, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Malic Acid, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Panthenol, Potassium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Formate, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientCocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Betaine
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Cocos Nucifera Water, Betaine, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Carbomer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Myristic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
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 NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxidePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.
Sodium Anisate has antimicrobial properties.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.
It is a skin conditioning agent, meaning it helps soften and hydrate your skin.
According to Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the highest amounts of sodium levulinate are found in mouthwashes at 0.62%.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateWater. 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 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
