What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
EmulsifyingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingSuccinic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingLavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientMentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Lactic Acid, Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Dipropylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Glucose, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Succinic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventQuaternium-60
Glycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Quaternium-60, Glycerin, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Dextrin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Gluconolactone, Kojic Acid, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phospholipids, Retinol, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Alternatives
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
Butylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneNiacinamide 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 PanthenolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is an essential oil also known as rosemary essential oil. In skincare, it is a skin conditioning agent and also acts as a natural fragrance that gives products a fresh/herby smell.
The oil is a mix of over 100 volatile compounds with 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, camphor, and verbenone usually leading the pack.
Lab studies credit this oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Some research even show rosemary compounds calming acne-related inflammation.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Since this is a fragrant essential oil, the main concern is for fragrance-sensitive folks.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water