What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Water
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBromelain
Skin ConditioningMorus Nigra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntioxidantPaeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBletilla Striata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmpelopsis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTribulus Terrestris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRhus Glabra Bark/Berry/Root Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningAtractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Water, Cetrimonium Chloride, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Bromelain, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glutathione, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, CI 77007, Hydroxyacetophenone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Bletilla Striata Root Extract, Ampelopsis Japonica Root Extract, Tribulus Terrestris Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Rhus Glabra Bark/Berry/Root Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Atractylodes Macrocephala Root Extract
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
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
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 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract comes from Chinese licorice. This plant is native to Asia and used in Chinese traditional medicine. Chinese licorice root contains antioxidants and polysaccharides.
Antioxidants may help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Polysaccharides help moisturize the skin due to their ability to mimic our natural skin barrier.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneNiacinamide 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 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 Water