What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNatto Gum
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingFructan
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningBacillus
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Natto Gum, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alcohol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Niacinamide, Fructan, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Bacillus, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Algae Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Cellulose Gum, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNatto Gum
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingUbiquinone
AntioxidantDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTropolone
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Natto Gum, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Beta-Glucan, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ubiquinone, Diisopropyl Adipate, Alcohol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tropolone, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineThis ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholBis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.
This ingredient is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinNatto Gum is created by fermenting a soy protein using Bacillus natto (a bacteria). It is used as a texture enhancer.
Natto gum contains nattokinase, an enzyme. It is currently being studied for its ability to improve blood circulation.
Studies also show fermented soy-based ingredients help boost antioxidant activity.
Learn more about Natto GumNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateThis ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree.
Cacao seeds contain antioxidants known as polyphenols. These include flavonoids, procyanidins, and epicatechins.
Studies show these polyphenols help improve skin health.
The more famous ingredient from cocoa tree is cocoa butter.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao ExtractWater. 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