What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCopper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningHeptapeptide-15 Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Mannitol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAlgin
MaskingPolyvinyl Alcohol
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-72 Amide, Ferulic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rice Amino Acids, Proline, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Triheptanoin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Algin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-38
Skin ConditioningOctapeptide-45
Skin ConditioningSwertia Chirata Extract
HumectantMagnolol
AntioxidantOrnithine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingStearic Acid
CleansingBetaine
HumectantSqualane
EmollientLecithin
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventPolyisobutene
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeLevulinic Acid
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyacrylate-13, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-38, Octapeptide-45, Swertia Chirata Extract, Magnolol, Ornithine, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ergothioneine, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Phytosterols, Phospholipids, Glycolipids, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Stearic Acid, Betaine, Squalane, Lecithin, Caprylyl Methicone, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Hexylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyisobutene, Potassium Sorbate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, P-Anisic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCaprylyl 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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water