What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Kojic Acid
AntioxidantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Squalane
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlutathione
Azelaic Acid
BufferingAlchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentMalva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrimula Veris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVeronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AstringentMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAchillea Millefolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyacrylamide, Kojic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Squalane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Azelaic Acid, Alchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Flower Extract, Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Achillea Millefolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantMenthol
MaskingPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingCollagen
MoisturisingGlutathione
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Caramel, Menthol, PEG-90m, Collagen, Glutathione, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sorbitol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, CI 42090
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.
As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
Learn more about GlutathioneGlycerin 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.
First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.
This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.
Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.
Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:
Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.
This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.
The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.
While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.
All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.
Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate
Fun fact: This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.
Learn more about Retinyl PalmitateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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