What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Niacinamide, Pisum Sativum Extract, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinol, Retinal, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantLactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBromelain
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantUrea
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPEG-75 Stearate
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGossypium Herbaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingRetinal
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantC9-11 Pareth-6
EmulsifyingCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingPropanediol
SolventTriethanolamine
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningTriacetin
AntimicrobialGardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPolyacrylamide
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Bisabolol, Bakuchiol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bromelain, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium PCA, Urea, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, BHT, PEG-75 Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Gossypium Herbaceum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Retinal, Trehalose, C9-11 Pareth-6, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Propanediol, Triethanolamine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Gluconolactone, Triacetin, Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Polyacrylamide
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 GlycolGlycerin 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 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 PropanediolRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalWater. 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