What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Salicylic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingTurtle Oil
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Niacinamide, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Alpha-Arbutin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Maltodextrin, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Gluconate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Turtle Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractNiacinamide 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.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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