What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
EmollientPEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
PEG-150
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingEmpetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCholesterol
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingArginine
MaskingArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Mononucleotide
AntioxidantPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingSuccinic Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeQuercetin
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagus Lucidus Root Extract
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
PreservativeSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingGlycoproteins
Skin ConditioningCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Gigas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-3
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantOligopeptide-6
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingOligopeptide-4
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Trisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Panthenol, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-150, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Allantoin, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Trehalose, Xanthan Gum, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Glycolic Acid, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Sodium Citrate, Empetrum Nigrum Fruit Juice, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycine Soja Oil, Beta-Glucan, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cholesterol, Sorbitan Oleate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amodimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Arginine, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Phytosterols, Sodium Lactate, Maltodextrin, PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Succinic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Quercetin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Asparagus Lucidus Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycoproteins, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-3, Glutamic Acid, Oligopeptide-6, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Oligopeptide-4, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, CI 77491, Mica, Disodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA, Parfum, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycereth-26
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Dna
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Dna, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide
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
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 NiacinamidePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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