What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Myristic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantNopalea Cochenillifera Extract
Skin ConditioningKojic Dipalmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium PCA
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-7
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Glucoside
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantMyristic Acid, Glycerin, Water, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Lauric Acid, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Xylitol, Glucose, Anhydroxylitol, Nopalea Cochenillifera Extract, Kojic Dipalmitate, Niacinamide, Sodium PCA, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-7, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, BHT, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Glucoside, Alpha-Arbutin
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingPolyacrylate-33
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBetaine
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantStomach Extract
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 14720
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Polyacrylate-33, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzophenone-4, Xylitol, Glucose, Sodium Benzoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Niacinamide, Anhydroxylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Menthol, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stomach Extract, Propylene Glycol, CI 14720, CI 19140
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 created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms.
In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.
Glucose is hydrating due to its humectant property. As a humectant, glucose draws moisture from the air and from deeper levels in the skin.
Our skin contains many sugars that act as prebiotics and help strengthen our natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
Studies show glucose may help with fading discoloration and pigmentation. This is because our skin metabolizes glucose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is an AHA that helps exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin 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 Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.
It is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture to it from the air.
Some foods that contain glyceryl glucoside include sake, miso, and wines.
Learn more about Glyceryl GlucosideNiacinamide 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol