What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialUndecane
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tridecane
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Undecane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, Dimethyl Isosorbide, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tridecane, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica Silylate, Zea Mays Starch, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenylpropanol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Silica, Dimethicone, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Vitreoscilla Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Isostearate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Alcohol Denat., Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycine Soja Oil, Propylene Glycol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydroxyacetophenone, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Retinol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Glyceryl Isostearate, Polysorbate 20, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Sodium Lactate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPentylene 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 GlycolPolysorbate 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 RetinolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol
