What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethylene Glycol
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycereth-26
HumectantJasminum Sambac Flower Water
PerfumingHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientBellis Perennis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventMethylpropanediol
SolventHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantRosa Gallica Flower Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantErgothioneine
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingCholesterol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMannitol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPropanediol
SolventOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantTagetes Erecta Flower Extract
PerfumingEDTA
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Jasminum Sambac Flower Water, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bellis Perennis Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Rosa Gallica Flower Oil, Propylene Glycol, CI 19140, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ergothioneine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Mannitol, Ceramide NP, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Propanediol, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract, EDTA, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Caprylhydroxamic 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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolHydrolyzed Collagen is Collagen (usually sourced from fish, bovine, or porcine byproducts) that's been broken down into smaller peptides. This makes it water-soluble and easy to blend into formulations.
In a formula, it works mainly as a skin-conditioning and moisturizing agent.
The small peptides and amino acids (including Natural Moisturizing Factor components like Hydroxyproline, Serine, and Aspartic Acid) help the surface of the skin hold onto water, feel softer, and look temporarily plumper.
This ingredient also has mild film-forming and antioxidant properties with research showing the antioxidant effect is stronger the lower the molecular weight of the peptides.
It's worth being realistic here:
Topically applied Hydrolyzed Collagen conditions the upper layers of skin rather than rebuilding the structural collagen deep in your dermis (the wrinkle-and-firmness benefits people associate with Collagen mostly come from oral supplements in studies, not topicals).
However, recent lab and skin-model work on Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen has shown promising effects on cell viability and wound healing when used as an active.
Typical concentrations range from 0.2-2%, but the percentage can go much higher in rinse-off or hair products (sometimes even above 50%).
Clinical studies on this ingredient showed no irritation, sensitization, or phototoxicity.
If you are looking for vegan collagen, it usually goes by a different INCI name like hydrolyzed soy protein. Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenNiacinamide 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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