What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate 40%
Humectant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrahydrocurcumin
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycolic Acid 70%
Buffering
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Kojic Dipalmitate
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Arbutin
Antioxidant
PEG-10 Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-9 Oliveate
EmulsifyingMorus Alba Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Paraffin
Perfuming
Allantoin, BHT, BHA, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate 40%, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid 70%, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arbutin, PEG-10 Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, PEG-9 Oliveate, Morus Alba Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Paraffin
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSteareth-100
Gel FormingWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-100
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAIsopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
