What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSwiftlet Nest Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Platycarya Strobilacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPsoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Propanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Platycarya Strobilacea Extract, Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Collagen, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Harungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Betaine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Allantoin, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 AllantoinBiosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Butylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTANiacinamide 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 Azeloyl Diglycinate (PAD) comes from the condensation of azelaic acid mixed with glycine.
This ingredient has similar properties to azelaic acid; it can help reduce sebum production and soothe skin. PAD also inhibits tyrosinase activity to help brighten skin. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that controls melanin production.
A study from 2023 found 5% PAD combined with nicotinamide (a form of niacin) effectively reduced melanin production after 6 weeks.
Several studies from the 2010's also show PAD to be effective in alleviating symptoms of Rosacea.
Though this ingredient is considered a gentle active, higher amounts may result in irritation.
Unlike azelaic acid, this ingredient is water-soluble. This property makes it easier to formulate into skincare products.
Learn more about Potassium Azeloyl DiglycinateWater. 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
