What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Vinyldimethicone
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Rice Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningCollagen Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sunflower Seed Oil Glycerides
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPoloxamer 235
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vinyldimethicone, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Retinol, Panthenol, Rice Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Collagen Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Sunflower Seed Oil Glycerides, Ectoin, Allantoin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Poloxamer 235, Polysorbate 20, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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
