What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingBisabolol
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingMalic Acid
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningBHA
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Dimethicone, Retinol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Malic Acid, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, BHA, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing2,3-Butanediol
HumectantC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Fructan
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, 2,3-Butanediol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Bakuchiol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Glyceryl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Retinol, Disodium EDTA, Fructan, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Isononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateNiacinamide 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.
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolWater. 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 Water