What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-3
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-16
Skin ProtectingSh-Polypeptide-62
AntioxidantSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-22
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-60
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVigna Radiata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Angularis Seed Extract
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Silica, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Sodium Chloride, Trihydroxystearin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-62, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-60, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caffeine, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglycerin-3, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-51, Tromethamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan, Resveratrol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ceramide NP
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideWater. 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