What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSucrose Stearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientOlus Oil
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingHydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides
EmollientC20-40 Alcohols
EmulsifyingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCera Alba
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningDaphne Odora Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantNicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantUbiquinone
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantBenzoic Acid
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGlycerin, Water, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Stearate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Olus Oil, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, C20-40 Alcohols, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cera Alba, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Cellulose Gum, Parfum, CI 77891, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-8, Caramel, Tocopherol, Retinol, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, CI 15985, Ubiquinone, Lecithin, CI 19140, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, CI 17200, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Benzoic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Eugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAcrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientBakuchiol
AntimicrobialAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPolyisobutene
Alcohol
AntimicrobialGlutathione
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBisabolol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Bakuchiol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Lecithin, Polyisobutene, Alcohol, Glutathione, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Polysorbate 80, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Gluconolactone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT, Soy Isoflavones, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Coumarin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient is a more stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate as quickly when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is oil soluble.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateGlycerin 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPolysorbate 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