What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Methylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Mannitol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Soluble Collagen, Phospholipids, Ergothioneine, Retinol, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mannitol, Propylene Glycol, Ubiquinone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Ceramide NP, EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.Β
Itβs 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 PropanediolRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolSodium 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
