What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
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 ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantPhytic Acid
Niacinamide
SmoothingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyacrylate-13
Glycerin
HumectantPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantNelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningSclareolide
MaskingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyisobutene
Propanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrehalose
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLecithin
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Tranexamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Niacinamide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyacrylate-13, Glycerin, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthophylls, Sclareolide, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Trehalose, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucrose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Polyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Tranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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