What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientRibose
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingErythritol
HumectantChondrus Crispus
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBisabolol
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ribose, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Erythritol, Chondrus Crispus, Ceramide NP, Squalane, Phenethyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Sodium Citrate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantVinyldimethicone
Dimethicone
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Water, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Alpha-Arbutin, Vinyldimethicone, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 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 NiacinamideWater. 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 Water