What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTripropylene Glycol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialC20-40 Pareth-10
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAdenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantPullulan
Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningDextran
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSoluble Collagen
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Myristic Acid
CleansingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantMannose
HumectantSh-Octapeptide-4
AntioxidantSh-Decapeptide-7
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningArachidic Acid
CleansingCollagen
MoisturisingElastin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-29
AntioxidantOligopeptide-32
AntiseborrhoeicAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Sh-Pentapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Dipeptide-4
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
CleansingMyristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Hexapeptide-16
Skin ConditioningMyristoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningNicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
AntioxidantNonapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningNicotinoyl Tripeptide-35
AntioxidantNicotinoyl Dipeptide-26
Skin ConditioningNicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin ConditioningOctapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-13
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-29
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin ConditioningSr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1)
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-44
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-30
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-32
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-29
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-22
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-16
Skin ProtectingSh-Polypeptide-62
AntioxidantWater, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tripropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Anhydroxylitol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, C20-40 Pareth-10, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Dna, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glucose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Ceramide NP, Sodium Phytate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Phytosterols, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine Triphosphate, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Resveratrol, Pullulan, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Palmitic Acid, C12-14 Alketh-12, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Dextran, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Soluble Collagen, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Myristic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Mannose, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Arachidic Acid, Collagen, Elastin, Glutathione, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Sh-Pentapeptide-1, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, Lauric Acid, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Nonapeptide-7, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-26, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Octapeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Pentapeptide-13, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1), Tetrapeptide-44, Tetrapeptide-30, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-32, Tripeptide-29, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-62
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingEuglena Gracilis Extract
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantUrea
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMaltose
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningDextran
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingC12-15 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Oxide
BufferingCalcium Oxide
BufferingMagnesium Oxide
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialWater, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Euglena Gracilis Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Fructose, Urea, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Maltose, Sodium PCA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Trehalose, Allantoin, Glucose, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Dextran, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Carbomer, Parfum, C12-15 Pareth-12, Sodium Oxide, Calcium Oxide, Magnesium Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 19140, Colloidal Gold
Reviews
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 a biosurfactant ferment made when the yeast Candida bombicola ferments glucose plus methyl rapeseedate. This kind of ferment is best known for producing sophorolipids (a family of glycolipid biosurfactants) which brands use as mild cleansing agents.
What it does;
Lab work on purified acidic sophorolipids suggests they can be less cytotoxic/irritating in skin-model testing than a common harsh surfactant (SLES) at the tested conditions.
By the way, the final cosmetic ingredient does not contain live yeast. Itβs a processed fermentation-derived ingredient.
Learn more about Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate FermentCitric 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 AcidDextran is a sugar (polysaccharide) with skin hydrating properties.
Fun fact: Louis Pasteur first discovered this ingredient as a microbial product in wine.
Glucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 NiacinamideWater. 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