What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysilicone-11
Cetearyl Olivate
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polyisobutene
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethyl Mea
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSpermidine
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDisodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Squalane, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Cetearyl Olivate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethyl Mea, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Gluconate, Spermidine, Silica, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Glycerin, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Magnesium Sulfate
Water
Skin ConditioningTriethyl Citrate
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingMel
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Polygamma-Glutamate
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSorbic Acid
PreservativeMalic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Triethyl Citrate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Superoxide Dismutase, Ethyl Macadamiate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, C10-18 Triglycerides, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Mel, Phospholipids, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Adenosine, Sphingolipids, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Astaxanthin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Glyceryl Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Corn Starch Modified, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Polygamma-Glutamate, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sorbic Acid, Malic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water