What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Olive Glycerides
Emulsifying
Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Bassia Butyracea Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAroma
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEugenol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Triheptanoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Olive Glycerides, Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Bassia Butyracea Seed Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Gluconate, Aroma, Levulinic Acid, Tocopherol, Hexapeptide-11, Sodium Levulinate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Retinal, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Eugenol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dextran
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Cyclodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Squalane, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ceteareth-20, Beta-Glucan, Resveratrol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Retinal, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dextran, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Lactic Acid, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide
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 waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentylene 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 GlycolRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
