What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Biosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTriethylene Glycol
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Parfum
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid
AstringentTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingWater, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Potassium Hydroxide, Triethylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Parfum, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tranexamic Acid, Trideceth-9, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 8%
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract 6%
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin 3%
AntioxidantTranexamic Acid 2%
AstringentDiglycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Magnesium Silicate
Citric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantP-Anisic Acid
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantWater, Niacinamide 8%, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract 6%, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alpha-Arbutin 3%, Tranexamic Acid 2%, Diglycerin, Dimethicone, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyacrylamide, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Chlorphenesin, Polyglutamic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Lauryl Alcohol Diphosphonic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, P-Anisic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin 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 AllantoinDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed 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 NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tocopheryl 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 AcetateTranexamic Acid (TXA) is a synthetic lysine derivative that is becoming one of the most exciting brightening ingredients in skincare.
Originally used in medicine as an anti-hemorrhagic agent, its skin brightening potential was discovered by accident; patients taking it orally started noticing their melasma was fading.
Unlike most brighteners that target tyrosinase (the enzyme that synthesizes melanin), TXA works further upstream. It basically blocks your cells from receiving the signal to produce pigment.
This makes it one of the rare actives that works on three pathways at once:
This makes it effective for treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-induced dark spots.
The most effective cosmetic concentration sits between 2-5% and going higher doesn't boost results.
Side effects are generally mild; occasional irritation, flaking, or dryness have been reported at the start of use. Overall, this ingredient is pretty well tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it does not cause photosensitivity, so it's safe to use in the AM and PM.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidWater. 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