Anua Nano Retinol 0.3% + Niacin Renewing Serum Versus BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Castanea Crenata Shell Extract comes from the shell of the chestnut.

Glyceryl Oleate Citrate isn't fungal acne safe.

Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of the Persimmon. It is native to China, India, and Korea. Persimmon leaves have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

We don't have a description for Coptis Japonica Root Extract.

We don't have a description for Potentilla Anserina Extract.

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.

We don't have a description for Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract.

Portulaca Oleracea Extract is an extract of the whole plant of the Purslane, Portulaca oleracea L., Portulacaceae. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.

Ficus Carica Fruit Extract comes from the fruit known as the fig. Figs are rich in antioxidants and helps hydrate the skin.

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

We don't have a description for Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract.

Arnica Montana Flower is more commonly known as Wolf's Bane. While this flower has been used in traditional medicine, its skin benefits are in question.

Houttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract comes from the lavender plant. Lavender extract has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

Borago Officinalis Extract is often synonymous with Borago Officinalis Seed Oil.

Centaurea Cyanus Flower extract comes from the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus. The cornflower is native to Europe.

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water is a tonic and helps with masking.

Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water is created using the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus. The cornflower is a blue flowering plant native to Europe.

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

This tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Tea Tree plant. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil comes from the seabuckthorn berry. The seabuckthorn fruit contains carotenoids, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid and vitamin E.

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate comes from cetearyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.

Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

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.

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Polyquaternium-51 is a polymer salt. It helps hydrate the skin by creating a film on top. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.

Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi.

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.

This ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

Oleic Acid is an Omega-9 fatty acid. It can be found in many plant oils such as avocado and marula oils.

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

This BHA stands for butylated hydroxyanisole. If you are looking for the beta-hydroxy acid, aka as Salicylic Acid, click here.

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.

We don't have a description for Saccharide Hydrolysate.

Sorbitan Laurate is created from lauric acid and derivatives from sorbitol. It is an emulsifier.

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.

We don't have a description for Phytosterols.

Madecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.

Ceramide AS is a type of Ceramide.

Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Hydroxypropylcellulose comes from cellulose. As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating.

Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester is a peptide.

Ceramide NS is a type of Ceramide. Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramide NG is a type of Ceramide. The NG stands for a sphinganine base.

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Guaiazulene is a fragrance.

Sucrose Distearate is made up of the sucrose (sugar) esthers of stearic acid. It is an emollient and emulsifier.

Nonapeptide-1 is created from amino acids including arginine and lysine.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is a peptide. A common name for this peptide is Argireline.

Copper Tripeptide-1 is a peptide naturally found in body fluids. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

Tripeptide-1 is a peptide.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a 3-amino acid peptide. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

You might know this ingredients as Matrixyl. It is a peptide.

We don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin.

Hexapeptide-9 is a peptide.

Ceramide EOP is a type of Ceramide.