What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantAzelaic Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventTrehalose
HumectantC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycine
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSucrose Stearate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract
AstringentHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Seed Extract
MaskingMadecassoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Trehalose, C12-14 Alketh-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Leaf Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose Stearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Alanine, Lysine, Ceramide NP, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Pyrus Malus Seed Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Ceramide AP, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Seed Extract, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Lactic Acid, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes azelaic special?
The best thing about azelaic acid is it's gentleness. It's generally well-tolerated and safe to use alongside other actives like niacinamide or salicylic acid.
Unlike AHAs, azelaic acid will not make you photosensitive/sun sensitive.
You can find this ingredient naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. In cosmetics, azelaic acid is typically lab-made, which is more stable and effective.
Learn more about Azelaic 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 GlycolCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractEthylhexylglycerin (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 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 NiacinamideSodium 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