What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Glycerin
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientCocoglycerides
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingNylon-12
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthyl Linoleate
EmollientLauric Acid
CleansingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingLactobacillus Extract Filtrate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Saccharide Isomerate, Polyacrylamide, Glycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cocoglycerides, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethyl Linoleate, Lauric Acid, Laureth-7, Sarcosine, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lactobacillus Extract Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantShea Butter Cetyl Esters
Skin ConditioningShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
EmollientSea Water
HumectantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCetyl Palmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-14
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHinokitiol
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Gum Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPinus Cembra Wood Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Shea Butter Cetyl Esters, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Sea Water, C12-16 Alcohols, Behenyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Poria Cocos Extract, Tetrapeptide-14, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hinokitiol, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract, Honey Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pinus Cembra Wood Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water