What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Sorbitol
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Betaine, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Niacinamide, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Squalane, Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitol, Sodium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingTurtle Oil
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Alpha-Arbutin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Maltodextrin, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Gluconate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Turtle Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 NiacinamideThis 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 HyaluronateSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneWater. 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