What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventTranexamic Acid
AstringentSqualane
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Oleate
CleansingOligopeptide-68
BleachingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Tranexamic Acid, Squalane, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Phenoxyethanol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Arginine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Glutathione, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Oleate, Oligopeptide-68, Carbomer, Ceramide Ng, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethanolamine
Butylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAlthaea Rosea Root Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPlantago Asiatica Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingUlmus Campestris Bark Extract
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingUsnea Barbata Extract
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPulsatilla Koreana Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningBee Venom
AstringentSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingLauric Acid
CleansingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Ulmus Campestris Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Cetearyl Olivate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Tripeptide-1, Myristic Acid, Usnea Barbata Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Urea, Hexapeptide-11, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Bee Venom, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Water, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Polysorbate 20, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Lauric Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Beta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 PanthenolSodium 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 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