What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract
Emulsion StabilisingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTribehenin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientBetaine
HumectantErythritol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Ng, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Tocopherol, Tribehenin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Betaine, Erythritol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Salicylic Acid 2%
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentPvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarnitine
CleansingVitex Agnus-Castus Extract
AstringentGlutathione
Bisabolol
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingPhytic Acid
Glycolic Acid
BufferingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialRetinol
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningFarnesol
PerfumingSodium Pantothenate
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantOctoxynol-9
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Potassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
BufferingPentasodium Pentetate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Carnitine, Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract, Glutathione, Bisabolol, Niacinamide, Phytic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Retinol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Farnesol, Sodium Pantothenate, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soy Isoflavones, Zinc PCA, Ethoxydiglycol, Octoxynol-9, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Pentasodium Pentetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 BenzoateTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water