What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingGlutathione
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Alpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientThioctic Acid
AntioxidantTocopherol
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Glutathione, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Alpha-Arbutin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Allantoin, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Thioctic Acid, Tocopherol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Cyanocobalamin, Beta-Carotene, Linoleic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 5%
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventCentella Asiatica Leaf Water 3.8%
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientSqualane 2%
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Xylitol
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide 5%, Propanediol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 3.8%, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Squalane 2%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Sclerotium Gum, Tromethamine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Madecassoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Xylitol, Ascorbic Acid
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
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 AcidCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPropanediol 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 PropanediolSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum