What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceteareth-33
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel Forming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glycerin, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-33, Disodium EDTA, Retinal, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
Humectant
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Inulin
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
Humectant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
MaskingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Calcium Alginate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Squalane, Isopentyldiol, Myristyl Myristate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Bakuchiol, Retinal, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus Ferment, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ceramide NP, Lactic Acid, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ns, Chrysin, Ceramide EOP, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cholesterol, Squalene, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sodium Polyglutamate, Phosphatidylcholine, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, 2,3-Butanediol, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Phytic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Beta-Sitosterol, Calcium Alginate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylyl 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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
