What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHonokiol
AntioxidantMagnolol
AntioxidantTetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Ascorbic Acid, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Gluconate, Honokiol, Magnolol, Tetrahydropiperine, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 3%
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract 1.3%
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPullulan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Phytate
Ubiquinone
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingChlorella Vulgaris Powder
Skin ConditioningTetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Niacinamide 3%, Glycerin, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract 1.3%, Citric Acid, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Phytate, Ubiquinone, Glycine Soja Oil, Silica, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Powder, Tetrahydropiperine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as Rooibos tea extract. It is a caffeine-free plant rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols.
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 AcidGlycerin 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 NiacinamidePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Tetrahydropiperine yet.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum