What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZea Mays Silk Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glutathione
Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlucose
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOleic Acid
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingWater, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Xanthan Gum, Zea Mays Silk Extract, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fructan, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glucose, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Linolenic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventBisabolol
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantArbutin
AntioxidantThiamine Hcl
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCalcium Pantothenate
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Silica
AbrasiveWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Propanediol, Bisabolol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ceramide NP, Riboflavin, Arbutin, Thiamine Hcl, Panthenol, Zinc PCA, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Maltodextrin, Calcium Pantothenate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Silica
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
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 NiacinamidePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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 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