What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctyldodecyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Niacinamide
SmoothingBehenyl Olivate
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Glycerin
HumectantStearyl Behenate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingBehenic Acid
CleansingCetyl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Stearate
EmollientHoney Extract
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPollen Extract
EmollientLevan
Skin ProtectingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingZiziphus Jujuba Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBee Venom
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Octyldodecanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octyldodecyl Olivate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Niacinamide, Behenyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Glycerin, Stearyl Behenate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Behenic Acid, Cetyl Stearate, Stearyl Stearate, Honey Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pollen Extract, Levan, Decyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Propolis Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bee Venom, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Madecassoside, Parfum, Limonene, Citral, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveBentonite
AbsorbentNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventPEG-8
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Salicylic Acid
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPeumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
MaskingCupressus Sempervirens Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc Acetylmethionate
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-75 Stearate
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientCeteth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Steareth-20
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSilica
AbrasiveGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Kaolin, Bentonite, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, C15-19 Alkane, PEG-8, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Salicylic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc Acetylmethionate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, PEG-75 Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Ceteth-20, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Steareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citronellol, Linalool, Silica, Geraniol, 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
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimoneneNiacinamide 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. 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