What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCitrus Limon Fruit Oil
AstringentCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenylethyl Resorcinol
AntioxidantCholesterol
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningHydrated Silica
AbrasiveCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Trehalose, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dimethiconol, Isododecane, Disodium EDTA, Zea Mays Starch, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ceramide NP, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Isopropyl Palmitate, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Cholesterol, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Hydrated Silica, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantLaurocapram
Skin ConditioningGalla Rhois Gallnut Extract
AntimicrobialCamphor
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylate-13
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSalvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingTriethanolamine
BufferingPolyisobutene
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientSaposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract
AntimicrobialCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingAlbizia Julibrissin Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGastrodia Elata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Laurocapram, Galla Rhois Gallnut Extract, Camphor, Menthol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate-13, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Triethanolamine, Polyisobutene, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Saposhnikovia Divaricata Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Flower Extract, Gastrodia Elata Root Extract
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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideTriethanolamine (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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum