What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientJojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingSqualane
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSqualene
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-3
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingMyrica Cerifera Fruit Extract
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPrunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAkebia Quinata Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDextran
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Collagen Amino Acids, Squalane, Caffeine, Squalene, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Acetyl Glutamine, Lecithin, Phospholipids, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyglutamic Acid, Phytosterols, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Ceramide NP, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Oligopeptide-3, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Folic Acid, Amylopectin, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Lactic Acid, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Akebia Quinata Stem Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Ceramide EOP, Tripeptide-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextran, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHexyldecyl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Niacinamide
SmoothingNylon-12
Hexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexyldecyl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Hexylresorcinol, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Stearate, Sucrose Cocoate, Panthenol, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, CI 77891
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
Ethylhexylglycerin 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 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol 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