What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingSodium Phytate
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract, Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Sodium Phytate, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Tocopherol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Caprylate
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientBifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPanax Ginseng Root Water
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingNymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ceramide NP, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Water, Madecassoside, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Adenosine, Synthetic Beeswax, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Levulinic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Butylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 NiacinamideThis ingredient is also called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, sugarcane can attract moisture to your skin.
Glycolic acid is a derivative of sugarcane. While glycolic acid is an AHA with exfoliating properties, sugarcane is not an AHA.
A study from 2021 found the compounds in sugarcane extract to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. The study also suggests these compounds can inhibit skin ageing enzymes and promote collagen synthesis.
Learn more about Saccharum Officinarum ExtractTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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