What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Lactate
BufferingCellulose
Absorbent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Fructooligosaccharides, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Pentylene Glycol, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinal, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Lactate, Cellulose, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hexylene Glycol, Propanediol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Trehalose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cellulose Gum, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glycine Soja Oil, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Retinol, Madecassoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Water, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, BHT, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Oil is a plant-derived oil from soybean seeds. Like other oils, it is rich in essential fatty acids (mostly linoleic and oleic) that support skin hydration and barrier function.
The fatty acids are able to integrate into the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to help soften skin and reduce water loss.
On top of that, soybean oil is rich in vitamins like vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
Research on soybean's active components also point to anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, antioxidant activity, and protection against UV-induced oxidative damage.
Most of this research applies to the broader soybean plant and not just the oil fraction alone.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe due to the oleic acid content.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRetinol 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 RetinolSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
