What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingGluconic Acid
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlycolic Acid
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTartaric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Arginine, Squalane, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Allantoin, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Dimethyl Sulfone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Malic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tartaric Acid, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentNiacinamide
SmoothingArginine
MaskingCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientCharcoal Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveKaolin
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXylose
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Niacinamide, Arginine, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Charcoal Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Betaine, Fructooligosaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Glucose, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Charcoal Powder, Carbomer, Diheptyl Succinate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Arachidyl Alcohol, Silica, Kaolin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Xylose, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinArginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCarbomer 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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