What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactobacillus/Collagen/Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Leaf Extract Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
TonicGluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSiloxanetriol Alginate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sorbic Acid
PreservativeBee Venom
AstringentSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobacillus/Collagen/Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Leaf Extract Ferment Lysate, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Polyglutamic Acid, Caffeine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Siloxanetriol Alginate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sorbic Acid, Bee Venom, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventTranexamic Acid
AstringentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantFragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhospholipids
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Niacinamide, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Diglycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Tranexamic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Arginine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Alpha-Arbutin, Allantoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Polysorbate 80, Glucose, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Extract, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Phenoxyethanol, Phospholipids, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate
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.
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 preservatives
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
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 AllantoinAlpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Potassium 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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