What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingChondrus Crispus
MaskingPotassium Chloride
Tripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Liliflora Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Hexanediol
SolventCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientSucrose
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCalcium Chloride
AstringentCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Calcium Lactate
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Chondrus Crispus, Potassium Chloride, Tripropylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sucrose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Calcium Chloride, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Cellulose Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Allantoin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Calcium Lactate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Parfum, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSea Silt Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSea Salt
AbrasiveDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHimanthalia Elongata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Betaine, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sea Silt Extract, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carnosine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Ceramide NP, Sea Salt, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Copper Gluconate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Himanthalia Elongata Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Itās known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 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 NiacinamideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās 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 Water