What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPanax Ginseng Seed Oil
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCinchona Succirubra Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Mannitol, Sorbitol, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Ceramide NP, Phenoxyethanol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-9 Diglycidyl Ether/Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Zinc PCA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPersea Gratissima Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPisum Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingWater, Sodium Polyacrylate, Trideceth-6, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Caffeine, Citric Acid, Persea Gratissima Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pisum Sativum Sprout Extract, Rosa Canina Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
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 AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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