Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst UV Lotion Flawless Bright Versus My Dream Skin Ceramide + Niacinamide Barrier Defense And Dark Spot Fader Gel Cream
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCystine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantGlutathione
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingBenzoic Acid
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Carbonate
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCI 77489
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Astaxanthin, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cystine, Glycine, Sodium PCA, Glutathione, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Coco-Glucoside, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyclodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77489
Niacinamide
SmoothingPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientLeptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
TonicPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSphingolipids
EmollientCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Saccharide Isomerate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alpha-Arbutin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Ceramide EOP, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 NiacinamidePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Triethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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