What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHeptyl Glucoside
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Surfactin
CleansingHeptanol
PerfumingWater, Niacinamide, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Bakuchiol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Heptyl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Surfactin, Heptanol
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium PCA
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAzelaic Acid
BufferingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingBisabolol
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Azelaic Acid, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Zinc PCA, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Niacinamide, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 BenzoateWater. 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