What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantYeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion Stabilising3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPlumeria Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningIpomoea Batatas Tuber Extract
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSorbic Acid
PreservativeAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Yeast Ferment Extract, Arginine Hcl, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Plumeria Alba Flower Extract, Sodium Polyglutamate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Ipomoea Batatas Tuber Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Copper Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingStearic Acid
CleansingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientStevia Rebaudiana Extract
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Isostearate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Stearic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Stevia Rebaudiana Extract, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Allantoin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Laureth-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholButylene 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 a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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 NiacinamideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateSorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.
Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.
Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.
Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Learn more about Sorbic AcidWater. 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 Water