What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Niacinamide
SmoothingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tranexamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Glutathione, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Pentylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Ceramide NP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Sodium Ethylparaben
PreservativePvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Ethylparaben, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Panthenol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 NiacinamidePeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water