What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Arginine
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientHuman Embryonic Stem Cell Conditioned Media
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantBHA
AntioxidantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingCollagen
MoisturisingZinc Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen
SurfactantSoluble Collagen
HumectantOligopeptide-32
AntiseborrhoeicOligopeptide-29
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Allantoin, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Parfum, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Human Embryonic Stem Cell Conditioned Media, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Octyldodecanol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Collagen Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT, BHA, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Collagen Amino Acids, Collagen, Zinc Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Soy Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen, Oligopeptide-32, Oligopeptide-29, Hyaluronic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantJojoba Esters
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientKojic Acid
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica Silylate
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Wood Oil
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientThioctic Acid
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Jojoba Esters, 1,2-Hexanediol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Kojic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica Silylate, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Adenosine, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Wood Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Arginine, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Squalane, Thioctic Acid, Glycolic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAllantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 PanthenolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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