What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide 12%
SmoothingIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningGlucosylrutin
AntioxidantHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningBelamcanda Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSucrose Palmitate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingEctoin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMenadione
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingGlutathione
Artemisia Annua Extract
MaskingLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingLinolenic Acid
CleansingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantChlorella Minutissima Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingLecithin
EmollientRetinal
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantOligopeptide-29
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantOligopeptide-32
AntiseborrhoeicOligopeptide-6
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-10
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-60
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide 12%, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Octyldodecanol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glyceryl Stearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Carbomer, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Glucosylrutin, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Disodium EDTA, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Polyglutamic Acid, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Salicylic Acid, Sucrose Palmitate, Citric Acid, Ectoin, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Menadione, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Glutathione, Artemisia Annua Extract, Linoleic Acid, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Linolenic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Chlorella Minutissima Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Lecithin, Retinal, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Oligopeptide-29, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Oligopeptide-32, Oligopeptide-6, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Sh-Polypeptide-60, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingTranexamic Acid
AstringentPalmitic Acid
EmollientIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Polyacrylate-13
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyisobutene
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAcetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil
MaskingCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil
MaskingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingRose Flower Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carbomer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Synthetic Beeswax, Stearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Tranexamic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, C14-22 Alcohols, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyisobutene, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Linalool, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, CI 19140, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Illicium Verum Fruit/Seed Oil, CI 16255, Glucose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Disodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.
One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.
Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide 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 PanthenolSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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