What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Apium Graveolens Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetyl Esters
Emollient
Amodimethicone
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Quaternium-95
UV AbsorberCitric Acid
Buffering
Acetic Acid
BufferingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Passiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Santalum Album Extract
CleansingAmber Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract
Perfuming
Oryza Sativa Seed Protein
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Phytic Acid
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantLimonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Esters, Amodimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polysorbate 60, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Trideceth-12, Jojoba Esters, Polysilicone-15, Quaternium-95, Citric Acid, Acetic Acid, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caffeine, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Bromelain, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Niacinamide, Santalum Album Extract, Amber Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Vegetable Amino Acids, Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phytic Acid, Oryza Sativa Extract, Citrulline, Gluconolactone, Biotin, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium Phosphate, Calcium Gluconate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 BenzoateWater. 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
