What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventC13-15 Alkane
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
EmollientAcetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSh-Polypeptide-2 Sr-Egyptian Scorpion Oligopeptide-1
Skin ProtectingSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantHydroxytyrosol
BleachingSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMannitol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenyl Triacetate
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantGlucosylrutin
AntioxidantThreonine
Glutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingValine
MaskingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Glutathione
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Succinate
MaskingSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Carbonate
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Propanediol, C13-15 Alkane, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Squalane, Ascorbic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Sh-Polypeptide-2 Sr-Egyptian Scorpion Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Hexylresorcinol, Alpha-Arbutin, Hydroxytyrosol, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Mannitol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Panthenyl Triacetate, Gold, Glucosylrutin, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Valine, Phosphatidylcholine, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sorbitol, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glutathione, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Disodium Succinate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Caprylyl Glycol, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Carbonate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCarrageenan
Erythritol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAnogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Phytate
Hydrangea Arborescens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingResveratrol
AntioxidantScutellaria Lateriflora Extract
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveWater, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Carrageenan, Erythritol, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract, Sodium Phytate, Hydrangea Arborescens Root Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Resveratrol, Scutellaria Lateriflora Extract, Pentapeptide-21, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
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
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneNiacinamide 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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 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