What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantLauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG-10
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningActinidia Polygama Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHistidine
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Zinc Oxide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Mica, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-10, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, CI 77492, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Tribehenin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, CI 77491, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77499, Ceresin, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Histidine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Cysteine, Methionine, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRhododendron Ferrugineum Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Dimethiconol
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAlumina
AbrasiveHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTriethoxycaprylylsilane
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyether-1
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Panthenol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Trisiloxane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Alumina, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, T-Butyl Alcohol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Polyether-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77492, CI 77491, Limonene, Citral
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 AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492This 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 CrosspolymerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide 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 GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicon-based surface modifier that makes sunscreens feel silky and makeup stay put.
Its main job is to coat mineral particles like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and color pigments in a thin, oily layer so they spread smoothly, don't clump, and stick to skin better.
This ingredient is typically used at low levels (up to 2.5% in eyeshadow and 1% in lipstick).
Learn more about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater. 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