What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Isoamyl Laurate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCoptis Chinensis Root Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingOryza Sativa Germ Oil
EmollientCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPropanediol
SolventHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantProline
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycine
BufferingCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSparassis Crispa Extract
Emulsion StabilisingOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
PerfumingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientErgothioneine
AntioxidantAlanine
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingSoluble Collagen
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-3 Amide
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Isoamyl Laurate, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Heptyl Undecylenate, Carbomer, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitic Acid, Ceramide NP, Stearic Acid, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Phytosterols, Oleic Acid, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Octyldodecanol, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Carnosine, Mannitol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Myristic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Proline, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ergothioneine, Alanine, Asparagine, Soluble Collagen, Lysine, Atelocollagen, Madecassoside, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Sh-Tripeptide-3 Amide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Surfactin
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningLysolecithin
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing2,3-Butanediol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingLeucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
Skin ProtectingCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Callus Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientHesperidin
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Cholesterol, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, C9-12 Alkane, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Niacinamide, Squalane, Water, Sodium Surfactin, Tromethamine, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Lysolecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carbomer, Lactobacillus Ferment, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglutamic Acid, Ceramide NP, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Stearic Acid, 2,3-Butanediol, Allantoin, Adenosine, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract, Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Centella Asiatica Callus Extract, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Hesperidin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCentella 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 ExtractCentella Asiatica Leaf Water is created by distilling centella asiatica leaves. Centella Asiatica is a herb native to Southeast Asia.
Many active components found in Centella Asiatica Extract, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.
Other components of Centella Asiatic Extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica Leaf WaterCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideRosa Damascena Flower Water is the water-based byproduct of steam-distilling damask rose petals. It has skin conditioning, masking, and skin protecting properties.
Research shows that Rosa damascena is rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds like gallic acid that contribute to its antioxidant activity.
In vitro studies have shown that Rosa damascena can scavenge free radicals and reduce melanin overproduction. Research has also found this extract offers some degree of UV absorption but this should not replace your sunscreen.
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower WaterSodium 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 HyaluronateStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic 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