What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCoconut Alkanes
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningBrassica Glycerides
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingPolymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer
Squalane
EmollientCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Seed Oil
EmollientPavlova Lutheri Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCholesterol
EmollientLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Coconut Alkanes, Triheptanoin, Brassica Glycerides, Cetearyl Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Squalane, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ubiquinone, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Pavlova Lutheri Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cholesterol, Lauroyl Lysine, Phytosphingosine, Saccharomyces Ferment, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantTriolein
Skin ConditioningEthyl Olivate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triolein, Ethyl Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Gluconate, Madecassoside, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamidePassiflora Edulis Seed Oil is a lightweight plant oil from the seeds of passion fruit.
This oil supports skin hydration because it is packed with linoleic acid (56-73%), oleic acid (14-20%), palmitic acid, and stearic acids. It also contains vitamin E and other antioxidants, like carotenoids.
In vitro research has shown that passion fruit seed extracts can inhibit the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin in the skin.
While this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, some cases of contact dermatitis have been reported with the Passiflora plant's vines and leaves itself. As with any ingredient, a patch test is a great idea if you are unsure.
This may not be suitable for fungal acne-prone skin, as fatty acids like this can sometimes trigger breakouts in sensitive individuals.
Learn more about Passiflora Edulis Seed OilPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propanediol 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 Isostearate is an emulsifer. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, it keeps the water and oil ingredients from separating. This keeps formulas stable and smooth.
In a 24 hour occlusive patch test on 56 subjects, 10% sorbitan isostearate was completely non-irritating. Most formulas use less than 10%.
Because it's a fatty acid ester, it may not be fungal acne safe since the Malassezia yeast can utilize it as a nutrient source.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. 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