What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Niacinamide
SmoothingDisodium EDTA
Lactose
HumectantResveratrol
AntioxidantMagnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentMagnesium Chloride
Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
PerfumingMethyl Benzoate
PerfumingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingSucrose Palmitate
EmollientEthylene Brassylate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
MaskingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantJojoba Esters
EmollientCI 15850
Cosmetic ColorantPhenylisohexanol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAcrylates Copolymer
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingTalc
AbrasiveTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeUltramarines
Glyceryl Linoleate
EmollientIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantTrimethylbenzenepropanol
MaskingNiacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Lactose, Resveratrol, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Magnesium Chloride, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Methyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sucrose Palmitate, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethyl Linalool, Ethoxydiglycol, Oligopeptide-1, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Water, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Propanediol, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Jojoba Esters, CI 15850, Phenylisohexanol, Citric Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Talc, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Hydroxide, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Ultramarines, Glyceryl Linoleate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Titanium Dioxide, Trimethylbenzenepropanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentBetaine
HumectantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSucrose Stearate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Lactate
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingResveratrol
AntioxidantPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaproic Acid
CleansingDextran
Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Betaine, Boron Nitride, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Potassium Hydroxide, Sucrose Stearate, Sodium PCA, Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Resveratrol, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Xanthan Gum, Serine, Valine, Citric Acid, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Potassium Sorbate, Caproic Acid, Dextran, Oligopeptide-1
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 NiacinamideThis synthetic peptide consists of glycine, histidine, and lysine. Peptides have skin conditioning properties.
This name refers to a group of Oligopeptide-1 derivatives, such as the famous Sh-Oligopeptide-1.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideResveratrol is a famous emerging antioxidant. It is a good alternative for sensitive skin types who cannot tolerate retinoids.
This antioxidant is most famous for it's anti-aging benefits. Studies show it combats the signs of aging by:
Besides anti-aging, this ingredient also helps with skin brightening and soothing.
The most effective forms of resveratrol are isobutyrate and butyrate. These have the strongest effect on increasing A1 collagen and reducing inflammation.
A note on it being a retinoid alternative:
Despite it's amazing skin benefits, it is not a replacement for retinoids. However, it is recommended for people with sensitive skin or intolerance to retinoids.
Resveratrol is naturally found in grapes, peanuts, and berries.
Learn more about ResveratrolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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