What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
MaskingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium PCA
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasiveSorbitol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Silica, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Isostearate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Butter, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Trehalose, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium PCA, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Sorbitol, Caffeine, Linoleic Acid, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyacrylate-13
Cyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantErythritol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingXylitol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantGlucose
HumectantHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHomarine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantRaspberry Ketone
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tromethamine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Erythritol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xylitol, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glucose, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Ceramide NP, Benzyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Homarine Hcl, Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone
Alternatives
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 NiacinamideSodium 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 Water