What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentSalicylic Acid
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Propanediol
SolventAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Leucadendron Cajaput Oil
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningHexamidine Diisethionate
EmollientSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicDextrin
AbsorbentCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCalamine
AbsorbentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTrehalose
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Melaleuca Leucadendron Cajaput Oil, Methylpropanediol, Allantoin, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Hexamidine Diisethionate, Sulfur, Dextrin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Calamine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Trehalose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialOctocrylene
UV AbsorberStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Triethanolamine
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
UV AbsorberCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberSteareth-2
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientPCA
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylparaben
PreservativeDecyl Glucoside
CleansingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Propylparaben
PreservativePolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantEDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Triethanolamine, Niacinamide, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Steareth-2, Dimethicone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Zinc Gluconate, Steareth-21, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Myristyl Alcohol, PCA, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Methylparaben, Decyl Glucoside, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, 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.
Butylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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