What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sodium Palmitoyl Proline
Skin ConditioningNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingBisabolol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Silica, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Physalis Angulata Extract, Bisabolol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsostearic Acid
CleansingPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingIsododecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTalc
AbrasiveSodium Chloride
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingScutellaria Baicalensis Callus Culture
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingBisabolol
AntioxidantHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Zinc Oxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Talc, Sodium Chloride, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Callus Culture, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bisabolol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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