What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientPEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch Polymethylsilsesquioxane
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Hexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientResveratrol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dimethicone, PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hexylresorcinol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Resveratrol, Phenoxyethanol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6, Disodium EDTA, Decyl Glucoside, Aminomethyl Propanol
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCholesterol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Seed Extract
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tromethamine, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cholesterol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Allantoin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Propanediol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Retinol, Asiatic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Beta-Carotene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 PropanediolRetinol 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 RetinolTocopheryl 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