What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Niacinamide 5%
Smoothing
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBorago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Acid
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol 0.1%
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBHA
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Guaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide 5%, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Acid, Tocopherol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Retinol 0.1%, Ceramide NP, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Squalane, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Oleic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, BHA, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Sorbitan Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Phytosterols, Madecassoside, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Cholesterol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Caprylyl Glycol, Guaiazulene, Sucrose Distearate, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hexapeptide-9, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Methylparaben
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Propylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
BHA
Antioxidant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Methylparaben, BHT, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, BHA, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinAvena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.
This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.
The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer.
Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our skin from free-radical damage.
Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds:
This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel ExtractThe ingredient "BHA" stands for butylated hydroxyanisole. If you are looking for the beta-hydroxy acid, aka as Salicylic Acid, click here.
In cosmetics, butylated hydroxyanisole is used as a perservative. It also has antioxidant properties. The concentrations usually used in skincare are low and do not penetrate through skin.
It is only considered a carcinogen when ingested.
Butylated Hydroxyanisole is a synthetic and waxy petrochemical. It is used as a preservative in foods and cosmetics.
Learn more about BHABHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPolysorbate 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
