What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide 10%
SmoothingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate 8%
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate 1%
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningVetiveria Zizanoides Root Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEDTA
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
PreservativeWater, Niacinamide 10%, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate 8%, Gluconolactone, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate 1%, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, EDTA, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Citrate
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDimethyl Sulfone
SolventPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantArginine
MaskingCarnitine
CleansingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantLysine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Sodium Citrate, Niacinamide, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethyl Sulfone, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arginine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Glycine, Histidine, Lysine, Proline, Potassium Sorbate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycyrrhiza 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 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 PanthenolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water