What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingErythritol
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantSh-Polypeptide-22
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPopulus Nigra Bark/Bud/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantC13-16 Isoalkane
SolventSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingSunflower Seed Oil Glycerides
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingBHA
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Erythritol, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Soluble Collagen, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Populus Nigra Bark/Bud/Leaf/Twig Extract, Betaine, C13-16 Isoalkane, Sorbitan Olivate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Sunflower Seed Oil Glycerides, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Cholesterol, Phosphatidylcholine, BHA, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Kojic Acid
AntioxidantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Squalane
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlutathione
Azelaic Acid
BufferingAlchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentMalva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrimula Veris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVeronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAchillea Millefolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyacrylamide, Kojic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Squalane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Azelaic Acid, Alchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Flower Extract, Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Achillea Millefolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 NiacinamideRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolWater. 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