What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Nereocystis Leutkeana Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Carnitine
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phloretin
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Dimethylaminoethanol Tartrate
EmollientUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Lycopene
Antioxidant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Catalase
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-77
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Lactobacillus/Nereocystis Leutkeana Ferment Filtrate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Carnosine, Carnitine, Niacinamide, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Ferulic Acid, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phloretin, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Glutathione, Dimethylaminoethanol Tartrate, Ubiquinone, Resveratrol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lycopene, Thioctic Acid, Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, Sh-Oligopeptide-77, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Stellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Arisaema Amurense Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Cambogia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Melatonin
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Genistein Methyl Ether
HumectantFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingSalvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Honey Extract
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Polysilicone-11
Diphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLinolenic Acid
Cleansing
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil
Astringent
Michelia Alba Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil
Astringent
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Gluconic Acid
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Menadione
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Squalane, Niacinamide, Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Stellaria Media Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Arisaema Amurense Extract, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit Extract, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Melatonin, Adenosine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Madecassoside, Alpha-Arbutin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Genistein Methyl Ether, Ferulic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ubiquinone, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Honey Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Polysilicone-11, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyquaternium-51, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Decyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Raffinose, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Lecithin, Laureth-12, Beta-Glucan, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Linolenic Acid, Glycolipids, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil, Zinc PCA, Ascorbic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Riboflavin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Menadione, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.
That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.
These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.
Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.
Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.
Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:
So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.
Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:
Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.
Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.
It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.
On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.
Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.
But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.
Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).
The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).
In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.
Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractFerulic Acid is a plant based antioxidant that can be naturally found in the cell walls of grains like rice, oats, and corn. It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and has the ability to boost the performance of other antioxidants as well.
A well-known study found that adding Ferulic Acid to a solution of Vitamins C and E doubled the photoprotection of skin. This is why you'll often see it paired with Vitamin C or Vitamin E serums rather than sold on its own.
A 2025 review of 18 human studies found that using Ferulic Acid (0.5-1%) daily for one to three months showed improvements in:
As far as allergies go, Ferulic acid is generally well-tolerated but can cause an allergic reaction in very rare cases. It's also worth noting that Ferulic acid is often extracted from plant sources like rice bran or wheat bran, so be sure to path test if you have known grain allergies.
Outside of skincare, researchers are also looking into Ferulic Acid for its potential benefits in areas like diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart health.
Learn more about Ferulic AcidMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is used in skincare because it tends to be more formulation friendly than pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
According to research, MAP has three major benefits:
While MAP is gentler on the skin than ascorbic acid, it is thought to be less easily absorbed into the skin.
In a well-known absorption study, pure vitamin C increased skin vitamin C levels when formulated correctly, but derivatives like MAP did not in that experiment. This suggests MAP may not always convert into active vitamin C in the skin.
Due to MAP's stability up to a pH level of 7, it is more stable to air and sunlight exposure than ascorbic acid. The best pH range for MAP is between 5 and 6.
Learn more about Magnesium Ascorbyl PhosphateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideUbiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is a molecule already found in our bodies. It is a potent antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredient.
Aging and environmental exposure diminishes our skin's natural ubiquinone levels. This is much like our natural collagen and elastin.
The good news is: studies show applying this ingredient topically replenishes ubiquinone levels in our skin. This also comes with a ton of skin benefits. These benefits include:
Ubiquinone is considered a large molecule and cannot be absorbed into the lower layers of skin. This is why it is believed to be such an effective antioxidant: it protects our skin in the upper layers and prevents damage in the deeper layers.
When used in sunscreen, ubiquinone is shown to increase ingredient stability, increase SPF factor, and add to infrared protection.
Fun fact: ubiquinone is fat-soluble.
Learn more about UbiquinoneWater. 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
