What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventNylon-11
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentBakuchiol
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentButyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingShorea Robusta Seed Butter
EmollientCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantMoonstone Powder
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientEthyl Stearate
EmollientEthyl Palmitate
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientEthyl Linoleate
EmollientAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingWater, Silica, Propanediol, Nylon-11, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Corn Starch Modified, Bakuchiol, Parfum, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Shorea Robusta Seed Butter, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Moonstone Powder, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Ethyl Stearate, Ethyl Palmitate, Ethyl Oleate, Ethyl Linoleate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Ethyl Macadamiate, Malic Acid, Sodium Carbomer, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingOctocrylene
UV AbsorberCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
HumectantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Stearic Acid
CleansingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, CI 77891, Zinc Oxide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Octocrylene, CI 77492, Glycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Synthetic Beeswax, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Stearic Acid, CI 77499, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid. It is an emollient, co-emulsifier, and preservative booster.
Its short C8 fatty acid chain makes it behave differently from its longer-chain emollient cousins like Glyceryl Stearate. It feels more lightweight, fast-absorbing, and silky instead of rich and waxy.
As a co-emulsifier, its "head" and "tail" sit at the oil-water interface. But overall, the short C8 tail and not being water soluble means it doesn't really have the muscle to emulsify a formula on its own. That's why you'll often see it paired with a primary emulsifier like Cetearyl Glucoside.
Interestingly, Glyceryl Caprylate acts as a preservative booster. This is because its fatty-acid backbone disrupts microbial lipid membranes. It shows excellent activity against bacteria and yeast but is weaker against mold.
Typical concentrations range from 0.5-1% and this ingredient is generally non-irritating.
Because this ingredient has a C8 fatty acid chain, it is outside the range that the Malassezia yeast metabolizes (making it fungal acne safe).
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Water. 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