What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCanola Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Oil
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Dipropylene Glycol, Canola Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sorbitan Tristearate, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPolyisobutene
Synthetic Wax
AbrasiveButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingDaemonorops Draco Extract
AstringentTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantLupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCollagen
MoisturisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingPropylene Carbonate
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dipropylene Glycol, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Microcrystalline Wax, Daemonorops Draco Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Collagen Extract, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Collagen, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Water, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral
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 AdenosineThis is a lightweight diester (caprylic/capric acid + butylene glycol) with emollient and skin conditioning properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient can help add a "cushiony" oil phase without making it heavy.
Caprylic/capric glycerides are a mixture of fats from caprylic and capric acids.
As an emollient, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides helps soften and moisturize the skin. Emollients create a moisture-trapping film on the skin.
Emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolRosa 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 WaterSynthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.
It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.
Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Synthetic WaxTocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterEuphorbia Cerifera wax comes from a shrub in Northern Mexico. It is used to stabilize formulations and has emollient properties.
Emollients form a thin layer on top of skin to prevent water from evaporating, keeping skin and lips hydrated.
According to a manufacturer, this wax can range from a yellow/brown color to translucent.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax