What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningCeramide 1
Skin ConditioningCeramide 2
Skin ConditioningCeramide 3
Skin ConditioningCeramide 4
Skin ConditioningCeramide 6 Ii
Skin ConditioningDextran
Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 4, Ceramide 6 Ii, Dextran, Tripeptide-1, Oryza Sativa Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-4 Olivate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC15-19 Alkane
SolventCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Olivate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C15-19 Alkane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Glycolic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Gluconolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Gluconate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Parfum, CI 77288
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin (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 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 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolWe don't have a description for Sodium Acrylates Copolymer yet.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateThis 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