What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialBambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
AbrasiveHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Niacinamide
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyurethane-35
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantZinc PCA
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMethylpropanediol
SolventSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSyringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Heptyl Undecylenate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Squalane, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Silica, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-35, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Tocopherol, Zinc PCA, Maltodextrin, Methylpropanediol, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Phenylpropanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Propanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePvp
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLaureth-12
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingWater, Polysilicone-11, Propanediol, Silica, Dimethicone, C15-19 Alkane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Niacinamide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Phenoxyethanol, Pvp, Pullulan, Hydroxyacetophenone, Laureth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is a powder used to improve texture, slip, and give products a silky texture.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 PropanediolSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water