What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSoluble Collagen
HumectantCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingHexapeptide-2
BleachingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingButyloctyl Palmitate
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Humectant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Propanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Collagen Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Soluble Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Hexapeptide-2, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Adenosine, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Cetyl Palmitate, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Butyloctyl Palmitate, Vinyldimethicone, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, 2,3-Butanediol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Biotin, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCystoseira Humilis Extract
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingCellulose
AbsorbentCoffea Arabica Seedcake Extract
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSh-Polypeptide-121
Skin ConditioningSisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingUbiquinone
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientDecapeptide-52
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Alcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cystoseira Humilis Extract, Panthenol, Bentonite, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitan Palmitate, Cellulose, Coffea Arabica Seedcake Extract, Allantoin, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Sh-Polypeptide-121, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ubiquinone, Lecithin, Decapeptide-52, Sodium Chloride, Maltodextrin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Avena Sativa Peptide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateCetyl Palmitate is a wax-like substance.
It comes from palmitic acid and palmityl alcohol. Cetyl Palmitate may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne.
This ingredient is naturally found in the guava fruit and stony corals.
Learn more about Cetyl PalmitateGlycerin (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 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 NiacinamidePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a crosslinked version of sodium hyaluronate. This just means it's linked into a 3D mesh network that lets it be more stable and sit on skin as a cohesive, gel-like film rather than sinking into skin.
A 2016 human skin study found crosslinked HA increased epidermal water content by 7.6% over the control group and reduced transepidermal water loss by 27.8%.
A follow-up clinical trial found that a topical crosslinked HA serum applied after fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels was well-tolerated and enhanced skin quality at 14 / 28 days.
More recent research suggests that concentrations as low as 0.03% can act as a penetration enhancer for other skincare actives.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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 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