What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantMirabilis Jalapa Extract
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDeoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide Mea
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, PEG-8, Salicylic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Lactobacillus Ferment, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Propanediol, Silica, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Maltodextrin, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chlorphenesin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Isostearamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Deoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide Mea, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
HumectantAmylopectin
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingPolylysine
Tocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Salicylic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Zinc PCA, Amylopectin, Dextrin, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Polylysine, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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