What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHordeum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingDioscorea Japonica Root Powder
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trehalose, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hordeum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Powder, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantCanola Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningMonascus/Rice Ferment
AntioxidantLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ectoin, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Adenosine, Parfum, Sodium Gluconate, Disodium EDTA, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Madecassoside, Canola Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
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
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 GlycolGlycerin (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 NiacinamideOryza Sativa Bran Extract comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.
This ingredient has moisturizing properties due to its components of polysaccharides and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains calcium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract contains numerous antioxidants such as ferulic acid. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa Bran ExtractOryza Sativa Bran Water comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.
According to INCI, this ingredient is used for masking and perfuming.
Masking ingredients are used to obscure or block properties of other ingredients. They are commonly used to block the scent of a product.
Peruming ingredients help give products a scent and can be natural or synthetically created.
Learn more about Oryza Sativa Bran WaterPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilWater. 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