What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycolic Acid 8%
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventLactic Acid 2.5%
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCellulose Acetate Butyrate
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Parfum
MaskingUbiquinone
AntioxidantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRetinol 1%
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningTricaprylin
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica Silylate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycolic Acid 8%, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Propanediol, Lactic Acid 2.5%, Potassium Hydroxide, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Parfum, Ubiquinone, Phosphatidylcholine, Pentylene Glycol, Retinol 1%, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Tricaprylin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica Silylate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialRetinol
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAstaxanthin
Skin ConditioningMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingProline
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingTapioca Starch
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
EmollientEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
O-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycosaminoglycans, Caffeine, Bakuchiol, Retinol, Retinal, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Astaxanthin, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Niacinamide, Proline, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Tapioca Starch, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Tetrasodium EDTA, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Gluconolactone, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Malic Acid, Trehalose
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Learn more about LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Retinol 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 RetinolWater. 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