What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientIsocetyl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingMannose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
HumectantIsohexadecane
Emollient2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPiroctone Olamine
PreservativeMyristyl Myristate
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingVitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Silica, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Poloxamer 338, Polysorbate 80, Mannose, Xanthan Gum, Zinc PCA, Isohexadecane, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Piroctone Olamine, Myristyl Myristate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Parfum
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Oligopeptide-68
BleachingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantGlutathione
Kojic Acid
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTall Oil Sterol
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentArnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAzelaic Acid
BufferingZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantEchinacea Purpurea Adventitious Root
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientSodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Oleate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Citrate
BufferingDiheptyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientBenzoyl Peroxide 5%, Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Oligopeptide-68, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Tall Oil Sterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Arnica Montana Extract, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, Zinc Oxide, Echinacea Purpurea Adventitious Root, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Silica, Sodium Citrate, Diheptyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Sorbitan Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Benzoic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 NiacinamideSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 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