What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialGlycereth-26
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Polygama Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Glycereth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Adenosine, Alpha-Arbutin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBisabolol
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Parfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantAmodimethicone
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Carbomer, Oryza Sativa Extract, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Caramel, Amodimethicone, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, CI 42090, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamidePotassium 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 SorbatePropanediol 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 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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