What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHoney
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylamide
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBrassica Campestris Flower Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentCosmos Sulphureus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Kobus Flower Extract
AntioxidantNarcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDextran
Sodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Honey, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Viola Tricolor Extract, Laureth-7, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Brassica Campestris Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Cosmos Sulphureus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Magnolia Kobus Flower Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Retinol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dextran, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDiethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventTranexamic Acid
AstringentDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingBoron Nitride
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyacrylate-13
Retinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive1,10-Decanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingGardenia Florida Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientGlucose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialSebacic Acid
BufferingPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningAroma
Cholesterol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHA
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBHT
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Tranexamic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ectoin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate-13, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Polyisobutene, Adenosine, Ergothioneine, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide AP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide NP, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Ceramide EOP, Silica, 1,10-Decanediol, Sodium Chloride, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Disodium EDTA, Diisopropyl Adipate, Glucose, Tocopherol, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Sebacic Acid, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosphingosine, Aroma, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, BHA, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, BHT
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Butylene 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 GlycerinThis ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids?
Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming:
The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone RetinoatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene 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.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 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