What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCI 75130
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Retinol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCollagen
MoisturisingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingSoluble Collagen
HumectantSoluble Collagen Crosspolymer
EmollientZinc Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenylpropanol
MaskingPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Carbomer, Arginine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Olivate, C14-22 Alcohols, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Collagen Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Adenosine, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Trehalose, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, CI 75130, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Soluble Collagen, Soluble Collagen Crosspolymer, Zinc Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Tripeptide-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Phenylpropanol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Hexapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Glyceryl Glucoside, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Melia Azadirachta Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-16 Alcohols, Arachidyl Glucoside, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glucose, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, Bakuchiol, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa Extract
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePanthenol 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 PanthenolThis oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed 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. 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