What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Silica
AbrasiveBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Thiosulfate
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Silica, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Thiosulfate, Carnosine, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 17200, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientTriolein
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingC12-16 Alcohols
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientLentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingJojoba Esters
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningC12-18 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientRaspberry Ketone
MaskingMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingVanilla Planifolia Fruit
MaskingIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
PerfumingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCistus Ladaniferus Resin
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientJasminum Sambac Flower Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Seed Oil
EmollientDipteryx Odorata Seed Extract
MaskingStyrax Benzoin Resin Extract
MaskingViola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientOctyldecanol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecyl Oleate
EmollientSqualene
EmollientOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventLaureth-21
CleansingPullulan
Silica
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Triolein, Niacinamide, C12-16 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Ectoin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hexylresorcinol, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Phytosterols, Sodium Levulinate, C12-18 Acid Triglyceride, Raspberry Ketone, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cistus Ladaniferus Resin, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Octyldecanol, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Squalene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Laureth-21, Pullulan, Silica, Alumina, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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, 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 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 HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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