What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAlcohol
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Retinol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol Denat., Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCeteth-3
EmulsifyingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 NiacinamidePolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol 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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water