What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Squalane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Palmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate-13, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Betula Alba Juice, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Myristic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate-13
Soluble Collagen
HumectantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPolyisobutene
Serum Albumin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Husk Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningFibronectin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Glycoproteins, Polyacrylate-13, Soluble Collagen, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Serum Albumin, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Husk Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Wax, Fibronectin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Steareth-20, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Sodium Citrate, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, CI 16255, CI 77491, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Dipeptide-2, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopherol, Tin Oxide, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Bisulfite
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 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sorbitan 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 Water