What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-Crosspolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingLaurus Nobilis Leaf Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Isohexadecane, Trehalose, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglutamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingDisodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingZinc PCA
HumectantMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGluconic Acid
Lactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDenatonium Benzoate
MaskingLactobionic Acid
BufferingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Mandelic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Denatonium Benzoate, Lactobionic Acid, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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