What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polyacrylate-13
Glycerin
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Trideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyisobutene
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Heptyl Undecylenate, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Glycerin, Retinol, Ubiquinone, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Palmitate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyisobutene, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glutathione
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Bakuchiol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Lecithin, Polyisobutene, Alcohol, Glutathione, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Polysorbate 80, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Gluconolactone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT, Soy Isoflavones, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Coumarin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium 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 GlycerinPolyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
