What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientSolanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOleyl Adapalenate
Glycerin
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSchizophyllan
HumectantPolylysine
Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDextran
Citric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Squalane, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Oleyl Adapalenate, Glycerin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tocopherol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Galactoarabinan, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Maltodextrin, Schizophyllan, Polylysine, Tripeptide-1, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Magnesium Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSebacic Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRetinal
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOctadecenedioic Acid
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialOlive Glycerides
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin Conditioning1,10-Decanediol
SolventTriethanolamine
BufferingCyclohexane
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantBHA
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Sebacic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinol, Phytic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Allantoin, Alpha-Arbutin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Retinal, Ascorbic Acid, Ceramide NP, Octadecenedioic Acid, Phospholipids, Ferulic Acid, Olive Glycerides, Salicylic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, 1,10-Decanediol, Triethanolamine, Cyclohexane, Butylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT, BHA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 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 NiacinamideWater. 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