What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberHexyl Laurate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentChlorella Minutissima Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-15
UV Filter1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Alcohol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Hexyl Laurate, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Chlorella Minutissima Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentAdansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
EmollientEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Japonica Root Extract
Skin ProtectingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningMentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
TonicMentha Viridis Leaf Extract
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Alcohol, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Cellulose Gum, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Sophora Japonica Root Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Beta-Glucan, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Limonene
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineThis ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 Water