This calming moisturizer is formulated around Zinc Oxide and Niacinamide to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Glutathione to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientQuaternium-18 Bentonite
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Stomach Extract
HumectantWater, Zinc Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Beeswax, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Adenosine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Stomach Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Chitosan
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glutathione
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Dilauryl Thiodipropionate
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Cellulose
Absorbent
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-59
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Chitosan, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Methicone, Panthenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Adenosine, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glutathione, Phosphatidylcholine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Phytate, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Lecithin, Cellulose, Sodium Phosphate, Polyglutamic Acid, Dextrin, Asiaticoside, Cysteine, Tocopherol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Arbutin, Bisabolol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-59, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Cholesterol, Ascorbic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, C12-16 Alcohols
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
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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 NiacinamideWater. 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
