What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIsohexadecane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantSteareth-20
CleansingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChromium Hydroxide Green
Ferric Chloride
AstringentWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Niacinamide, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isohexadecane, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Adenosine, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Steareth-20, Ethyl Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Maltodextrin, Potassium Laurate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Citric Acid, Biotin, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Polysorbate 80, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Ferric Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaffeine 2%
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningVincetoxicum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Rice Bran Oil
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Phytate
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caffeine 2%, Niacinamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, C12-16 Alcohols, Methyl Trimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Jojoba Esters, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Soluble Collagen, Panthenol, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Rice Bran Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Synthetic Beeswax, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Dextrin, Sodium Phytate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glyceryl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Xanthan Gum
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.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 AdenosineAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract is from a plant called the Rose of Jericho. This plane is found in the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa.
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Butylene 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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.
It is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture to it from the air.
Some foods that contain glyceryl glucoside include sake, miso, and wines.
Learn more about Glyceryl GlucosideHydrogenated Polydecene is a synthetic emollient. It forms a non-occlusive film on the skin's surface to provide a silky feel without being greasy.
In vivo studies in volunteers with atopic and dry skin showed no irritation or intolerance. The volunteers also saw a positive effect in dryness, scaling, and roughness after 28 days of use.
Concentrations up to 100% in guinea pig tests found it to be non-sensitizing and completely safe for use in cosmetics.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydeceneHydroxyacetophenone 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolThis long ingredient is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers.
It is used to help stabilize other ingredients and create a thicker gel-like texture.
Emulsifiers prevent oils and waters from separating.
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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