What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium PCA
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Phytate
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Ferulic Acid, Sodium PCA, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Acetyl Glutamine, Lecithin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantMethylheptyl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingTulipa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientAtractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCholecalciferol
Tocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSucrose
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Propanediol, Betaine, Methylheptyl Isostearate, Undecane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Tulipa Hybrid Flower Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cholecalciferol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Lactate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Lecithin, Tridecane, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sucrose, Zea Mays Starch, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
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 or alcohol, 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenethyl Alcohol is a colorless and aromatic alohol. It is naturally occuring in essential oils.
The scent of this ingredient is floral and often compared to rose.
Like other alcohols, this ingredient helps prevent the growth of bacteria. However, its main purpose is to impact a fragrance.
Learn more about Phenethyl AlcoholPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate comes from Capric Acid and Polyglycerin-4. It is an emulsifier.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally.
Propanediol 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract is from the Kakadu plum. The Kakadu plum is native to northern Australia. The Kakadu plum holds the record for having the highest amount of natural vitamin C.
This ingredient is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radicals and thus may reduce the signs of aging.
The high vitamin C content of Kakadu plum also helps lighten skin. Vitamin C has been shown to block the process of skin darkening that leads to hyperpigmentation.
Kakadu plums have been used by indigenous cultures as medicine to help treat colds and as an antiseptic.
Learn more about Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit ExtractWater. 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