What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDimethiconol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPullulan
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Glycine
CleansingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientLecithin
EmollientMadecassoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate-13, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyisobutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethiconol, Squalane, Pullulan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Glycine, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Lecithin, Madecassoside, Citric Acid, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantStearyl Dimethicone
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Stearyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, C12-16 Alcohols, C13-15 Alkane, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol
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
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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 NiacinamideSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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