What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Betaine, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Gluconate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Bioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Melanin
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-20
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Silica, Squalane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Physalis Angulata Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Ubiquinone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Bioflavonoids, Betaine, Melanin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Batyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Panthenol, Ceteareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
