What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventGlutathione
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract
MoisturisingNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Glutathione, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, C12-14 Alketh-12, Arginine, Cyanocobalamin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlutathione
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningProtease
ExfoliatingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantArbutin
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isopentyldiol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Carbomer, Allantoin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glutathione, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Polyglutamic Acid, Protease, Ceramide NP, Ascorbic Acid, Arbutin, Bisabolol, Hyaluronic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathioneHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable.
Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefits. One study found 5% of SAP lotion to be an effective ingredient for treating acne vulgaris. This is because research shows that SAP may help control acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and slowing the oxidation of skin oils caused by UV exposure.
In addition to acne, vitamin C is important for skin structure. Lab studies suggest SAP may support collagen production in skin cells, making it a great ingredient in anti-aging routines.
Vitamin C has many benefits: it helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, fade the appearance of dark spots, and brighten the skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum