What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCalcium Chloride
AstringentCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlutathione
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasivePEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHibiscus Syriacus Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-29
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGold
Cosmetic ColorantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Water, Glycerin, Calcium Chloride, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glutathione, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, CI 77491, Tin Oxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hibiscus Syriacus Bark Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Nonapeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Parfum, Gold, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Alaninate
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingPolyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingPPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingMenthol
MaskingHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentasodium Pentetate
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPeat Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Citrata Leaf Extract
AstringentPrunus Salicina Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Hexanediol
SolventLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlutamine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingCysteine
AntioxidantAsparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Species Leaf Oil
PerfumingEucalyptus Dives Leaf Oil
PerfumingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-150 Distearate, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Menthol, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentasodium Pentetate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Peat Water, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Mentha Citrata Leaf Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Lecithin, Polysorbate 80, Ceramide NP, Potassium Sorbate, Biotin, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Cystine, Cysteine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine, Ornithine, Taurine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrus Species Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Dives Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
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 GlycerinHydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.
Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.
Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.
Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.
Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.
This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:
Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidThis form of hyaluronic acid is produced through fermentation.
According to a manufacturer, it has a positive charge by ionic binding to help moisturize and give hair a smooth feel. This is why you'll find this ingredient in shampoos and body washes.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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