What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingZinc PCA
HumectantAzelaic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGlutathione
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantArbutin
AntioxidantPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentResveratrol
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Kojic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glutathione, Allantoin, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Squalane, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Arbutin, Punica Granatum Extract, Resveratrol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-6
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
BufferingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
BufferingGlycine
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-6, Pentylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Glycine, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAzelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
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.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractNiacinamide 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