What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDextran
Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Arbutin, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Dextran, Tripeptide-1, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Acacia Senegal Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhragmites Communis Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
HumectantSerine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Arginine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Isohexadecane, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phragmites Communis Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Allantoin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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.
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 PropanediolSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum