What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientTranexamic Acid
AstringentNiacinamide
SmoothingJojoba Esters
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Cocoate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
BufferingKojic Acid
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSalicylic Acid
MaskingAminoethylphosphinic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycogen
HumectantAcetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Dimethicone
EmollientPolyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingEthylcellulose
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Isostearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Citrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lactic Acid, Kojic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Salicylic Acid, Aminoethylphosphinic Acid, Glycogen, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Plankton Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Polyacrylate-13, Dimethicone, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberEthyl Hexanediol
SolventWater, Niacinamide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Betaine, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycereth-26, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Ethyl Hexanediol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneWater. 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