What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Powder
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningCopernicia Cerifera Cera
EmollientKaolin
AbrasiveMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters
Emulsion StabilisingSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingZantedeschia Elliottiana Flower Extract
AntioxidantSclareolide
MaskingIllite
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Zea Mays Starch, Oryza Sativa Powder, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Kaolin, Mica, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Synthetic Beeswax, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Niacinamide, Bakuchiol, Charcoal Powder, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Zantedeschia Elliottiana Flower Extract, Sclareolide, Illite, Water, Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77499
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
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
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
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It has antimicrobial, emollient, skin conditioning, and antioxidant properties.
You'll likely see it called a "retinol replacement" but the two are technically not related. This is because bakuchiol is able to flip many of the same switches in your skin cells to tell them to:
1) produce more collagen (type I, III, and IV)
2) activate the same genes retinoids do
Unlike retinoids, this ingredient will not increase photosensitivity and is safe to use during pregnancy (but please still check in with your doctor!).
The flagship clinical trial from Dhaliwal et al. 2019 found 0.5% bakuchiol (twice daily) and 0.5% retinol (once daily) reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation equally, but bakuchiol had significantly less irritation.
Systematic reviews also back this up:
Bakuchiol is comparable to retinol for photoaging but with better tolerability. It also has mild antibacterial properties against Cutibacterium acnes and antifungal activity in vitro against Candida and dermatophytes.
The reason bakuchiol works well is due to its structure; it is a meroterpene phenol, or a hybrid molecule. The phenol half acts as an antioxidant while the terpene half is fat-loving. This helps the molecule slip through the skin barrier.
This ingredient is usually used between 0.5-2%. Only one case of contact dermatitis has ever been reported for this ingredient.
Learn more about BakuchiolHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterWe don't have a description for Lens Esculenta Seed Extract yet.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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