What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientPCA
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGluconic Acid
Glycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingBetaine
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientJuglans Regia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTuber Melanosporum Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Squalane
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningStreptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantMadecassoside
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Trehalose, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Coptis Japonica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Isopentyldiol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Honey Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, PCA, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phospholipids, Gluconic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Betaine, Allantoin, Xylitol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Royal Jelly Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propolis Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Squalane, Lactic Acid, Serine, Valine, Propanediol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Isoleucine, Threonine, Proline, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Glutathione, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Beta-Glucan, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Madecassoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Oligopeptide-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Phytosterols, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCoco-Caprylate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveStearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Coco-Caprylate, Silica, Stearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-100 Stearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Caramel, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Hyaluronic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Polysorbate 20, Cholesterol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide EOP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ceramide AP is formally known as Ceramide 6.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. 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 NP
Ceramide EOP
Ceramide EOP is formally known as Ceramide 1 and Ceramide 1 A.
EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin. They bind dead skin cells together to create a barrier. The ceramides in our skin have the ability to hold water to keep our skin hydrated.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A strong skin barrier helps with:
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeramide 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
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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide 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 PanthenolPeg-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.
Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water