What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingErythrulose
TanningPropanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Phytate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientTin Oxide
AbrasiveAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dihydroxyacetone, Water, Niacinamide, Erythrulose, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Phytate, Mica, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77491, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Tin Oxide
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingInulin
Skin ConditioningCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningAspergillus/Camellia Sinensis Leaf Ferment Extract
AntimicrobialDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientPongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Palmitoyl Sh-Hexapeptide-13 Serine Sp Amide
Phenylpropanol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Mica, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Alcohol, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Inulin, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Aspergillus/Camellia Sinensis Leaf Ferment Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Squalane, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Maltodextrin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Sh-Hexapeptide-13 Serine Sp Amide, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum
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
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum