What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSea Water
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingHexadecene
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sea Water, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Oleate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Hexadecene, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTulipa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sclerotium Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tulipa Hybrid Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Gluconolactone, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Arginine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 NiacinamidePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Β
Itβs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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