What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSqualane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCetearyl Stearate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCollagen
MoisturisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCentella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Stearate, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Cyclodextrin, Collagen, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Beta-Glucan, Escin, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Trehalose, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArgania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCarnosine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingJojoba Oil/Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Esters
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Surfactin
CleansingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Medicago Sativa Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caffeine, Pyridoxine Hcl, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Carnosine, Cyclodextrin, Carbomer, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Jojoba Oil/Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Sodium Surfactin, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Reviews
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCyclodextrins are ring-shaped sugar molecules made from starch. It is used to stabilize, protect, and slowly release active ingredients.
This ingredient can help prevent oxidation, reduce irritation from strong actives, and make certain ingredients absorb better once applied.
Once applied to your skin, enzymes gradually break down the cyclodextrin "ring"; this releases the active ingredient in a controlled way.
Learn more about CyclodextrinEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinNiacinamide 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 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