What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSteareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantTridecane
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantCeteareth-20
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBisabolol
Masking3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningDeschampsia Antarctica Leaf Extract
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPhenylpropanol
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantUrea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBHA
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Undecane, Pentylene Glycol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Trisiloxane, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tridecane, Butylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Deschampsia Antarctica Leaf Extract, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Zea Mays Starch, Titanium Dioxide, Phenylpropanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Silica, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, BHA, BHT, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Ascorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-6
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTin Oxide
AbrasiveDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Lactis Proteinum, Isohexadecane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cholesterol, PEG-8, Yeast Extract, PEG-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77891
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
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 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 RetinoatePolysorbate 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 20Tin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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