What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRetinol 1%
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Retinol 1%, Tocopherol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propolis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientCellulose
AbsorbentDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSteareth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Dilaurate
EmollientPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Behenate, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Cellulose, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Chlorphenesin, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Ascorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water