What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cholesterol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Parfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyisobutene
Arginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Nelumbo Nucifera Phytoplacenta Culture Extract
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-35 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium PCA
HumectantSerine
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycine
BufferingCholesterol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientGlutamic Acid
HumectantCeteth-5
EmulsifyingCeteth-3
EmulsifyingInositol
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantothenate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLinoleic Acid
CleansingSucrose Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientGlycosphingolipids
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylate-13, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Polyisobutene, Arginine, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Nelumbo Nucifera Phytoplacenta Culture Extract, Polysorbate 20, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium PCA, Serine, Retinol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Tocopherol, Glycine, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Alanine, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Glutamic Acid, Ceteth-5, Ceteth-3, Inositol, Retinyl Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Linoleic Acid, Sucrose Stearate, Stearic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Palmitic Acid, Glycosphingolipids, Biotin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBrassica Campestris Sterols isn't fungal acne safe.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterThis 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.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil is the fixed oil obtained from Macadamia nut.
Macadamia seed oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic acid (45-75%), palmitoleic acid (7-33%), and palmitic acid (6-12%). They also contain various B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
Palmitoleic acid has been shown to help soothe inflammation and promote wound healing. It is also naturally found in the fat of our skin.
Macadamia seed oil may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Learn more about Macadamia Ternifolia Seed OilMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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