What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientErythritol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDeoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide Mea
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-16 Alcohols, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Erythritol, Polysorbate 60, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Palmitic Acid, Allantoin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Persea Gratissima Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Adenosine, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Ceramide NP, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Glucose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Deoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide Mea, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Cholesterol, Lecithin, Phosphatidylcholine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Astaxanthin, Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantGellan Gum
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantThuja Orientalis Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-3
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-16
Skin ProtectingPolylactic Acid
AbrasiveC12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
EmulsifyingOriganum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Agar
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCoceth-7
EmulsifyingPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Pullulan, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Gellan Gum, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Algae Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Adenosine, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Polylactic Acid, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Agar, Titanium Dioxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Mica, CI 77491, Tin Oxide, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
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
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 AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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 NiacinamideScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extractsh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1This peptide has similar properties to Sh-Oligopeptide-1.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
There is also controversy surrounding EGF. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-2Sh-Polypeptide-1 is a signal peptide that tells our cells to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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