What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlutathione
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningProtease
ExfoliatingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantArbutin
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Isopentyldiol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Carbomer, Allantoin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glutathione, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Polyglutamic Acid, Protease, Ceramide NP, Ascorbic Acid, Arbutin, Bisabolol, Hyaluronic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingMaltodextrin
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPantolactone
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingTranexamic Acid
AstringentTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantUbiquinone
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMagnesium Chloride
Alcohol
AntimicrobialGlutathione
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Water, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Betaine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Pantolactone, Tocopherol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ubiquinone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Magnesium Chloride, Alcohol, Glutathione, Polysorbate 80, Calcium Gluconate, Pyridoxine Hcl, BHT, Yeast Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathioneHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Water. 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