What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Rice Bran Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
SolventBehenic Acid
CleansingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhytic Acid
Silica
AbrasiveEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Squalane, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Hydrogenated Rice Bran Oil, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Propanediol, Behenic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Stearate, Beheneth-20, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ferulic Acid, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lysolecithin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Xanthan Gum, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Potassium Hydroxide, Phytic Acid, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantDimethicone
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCoffea Arabica Seed Oil
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantTribehenin
EmollientInulin
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
SurfactantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSorbic Acid
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Silica, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Caffeine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Molasses Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Linoleic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methyl Trimethicone, Trehalose, Tribehenin, Inulin, Sorbitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Myristyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Carbomer, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77163
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Ethylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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 SilicaSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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