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 ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Niacinamide
SmoothingNylon-12
Hexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexyldecyl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Hexylresorcinol, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Stearate, Sucrose Cocoate, Panthenol, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, CI 77891
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
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateNiacinamide 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.
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