What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
CleansingWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Acetate
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaproic Acid
CleansingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningMenadione
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acetate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Lysine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caproic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Retinol, Riboflavin, Biotin, Bioflavonoids, Cyanocobalamin, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Menadione
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Pisum Sativum Extract, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinol, Retinal, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 NiacinamideRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolWater. 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