What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientStearyl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Ceteareth-20
CleansingPEG-75 Lanolin
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Sulfate
Linalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Stearyl Stearate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, PEG-75 Lanolin, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinol, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citric Acid, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientLaureth-4
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polyacrylamide
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativePlant Ash Extract
Avena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Niacinamide, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Dimethiconol, Laureth-4, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Polyacrylamide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Titanium Dioxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Plant Ash Extract, Avena Sativa Peptide
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. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTANiacinamide 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 NiacinamideRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolWater. 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