What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Diglycerin
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Diamond Powder
Abrasive
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Extract
Skin ConditioningRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Glucose
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
Dextrin
AbsorbentGlycine
Buffering
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Leucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Methionine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Caffeine, Diglycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Resveratrol, Arbutin, Bisabolol, Medicago Sativa Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Diamond Powder, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Glucose, Fructose, Dextrin, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Carbomer, Propanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin
Trehalose
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Gellan Gum
Tromethamine
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Trehalose, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Water, Xanthan Gum, Ferulic Acid, CI 19140, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Allantoin, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Carnosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gellan Gum, Tromethamine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesn’t replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin won’t keep absorbing more once it’s full of vitamin C. This is why more isn’t always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations don’t necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 NiacinamideWater. 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 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
