This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Ectoin and Lactobacillus Ferment to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This smoothing serum is formulated around Niacinamide to refine skin texture and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMomordica Charantia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ectoin, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Squalene, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract, Amylopectin, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Acetyl Glutamine, Lecithin, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phospholipids, Beta-Glucan, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Hexapeptide-11, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-3, Folic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Phytosterols, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Cetearyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xylitol
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
C12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, C12-14 Alketh-12, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Squalane, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Glucose, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Panthenol, Trehalose, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Beta-Glucan, Ascorbic Acid, Cellulose, Tocopherol, Polyglutamic Acid, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
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 moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
