What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methylalanine
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Jasminum Officinale Oil
Masking
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Oligopeptide-41
Skin Conditioning
Placental Extract
Hydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate
HumectantDistearyldimonium Chloride
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Quaternium-33
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Isomerized Safflower Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Starch
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Cocamide Methyl Mea
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Methoxyphenylimino Dimethylcyclohexene Glycine
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMyristyl Betaine
CleansingLauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-10
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
PPG-7
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methylalanine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Jasminum Officinale Oil, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Soluble Collagen, Oligopeptide-41, Placental Extract, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Copper Gluconate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Hyaluronate, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-33, Cholesterol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isomerized Safflower Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Cyclodextrin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycosphingolipids, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methoxyphenylimino Dimethylcyclohexene Glycine, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Myristyl Betaine, Lauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Polyquaternium-10, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, PPG-7, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Amodimethicone
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPotato Starch Modified
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-10
Acrylates Copolymer
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Amodimethicone, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Potato Starch Modified, Cocamide Mipa, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Trideceth-6, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Coco-Betaine, Citric Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polyquaternium-10, Acrylates Copolymer, Benzoic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceramide AP is is a skin-identical lipid that mimics what your skin already makes naturally. Ceramides help maintain epidermal integrity and barrier function.
You'll often see this ingredient paired with other ceramides (like ceramide NP), cholesterol, or fatty acids because this combination best mimics the natural lipid mix your skin already has.
The skin's ability to produce ceramides gets disrupted in skin conditions like eczema. This in turn weakens the skin barrier and applying ceramides topically has been shown to replenish what's been lost to restore barrier function.
Most of the studies with Ceramide AP test it as part of a multi-ceramide complex; studies reinforce ceramide AP's role in rebalancing ceramides in skin and improving skin hydration.
Learn more about Ceramide APCeramide 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 NPCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPolyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideSodium 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
