What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoconut Alkanes
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningSucrose Stearate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Coconut Alkanes, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Pentylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sucrose Stearate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C13-15 Alkane
SolventLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingMaltobionic Acid
BufferingZinc PCA
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Isoamyl Laurate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C13-15 Alkane, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Squalane, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Ceramide NP, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Maltobionic Acid, Zinc PCA, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose Stearate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Mandelic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide and formally known as ceramide 3.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePolyglyceryl-10 Stearate is a skin conditioner with emollient and emulsifier properties.
It is an esther of stearic acid and Polyglycerin-10.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 StearateSodium 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 hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSucrose Stearate is derived from stearic acid and sucrose (sugar). It is an emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it prevents oils and water from separating in a product. This property also makes it a surfactant and therefore a cleansing agent.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water