What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters
Emulsion Stabilising
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Dextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Juglans Regia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPolydecene
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Honey Extract
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPCA
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Agar
MaskingGluconic Acid
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Tuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Phellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Trehalose, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dimethicone, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Lauryl Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethiconol, Beeswax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Microcrystalline Wax, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coptis Japonica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Isopentyldiol, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Tocopherol, Betaine, Allantoin, Xylitol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Squalane, Lactic Acid, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Polydecene, Propanediol, Honey Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Aspartic Acid, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, PCA, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Phospholipids, Agar, Gluconic Acid, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Glycine, Alanine, Royal Jelly Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Propolis Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Serine, Valine, Guaiazulene, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Isoleucine, Threonine, Proline, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Glutathione, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Glucose, Beta-Glucan, Hyaluronic Acid, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Phytosterols, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hexapeptide-9, Tripeptide-2, Nonapeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Potassium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isohexadecane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
Astringent
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingZinc PCA
Humectant
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Zinc PCA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Disodium 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 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 NiacinamidePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
