What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientIsostearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol Cocoate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveRetinol
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveNicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingEthylcellulose
Sodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Phospholipids, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Allantoin, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylcellulose, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentPeucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCitrus Paradisi Peel Extract
PerfumingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingTrideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tetrapeptide-21, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ferulic Acid, Ceramide NP, Bisabolol, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sclerotium Gum, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-23, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.
This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.
The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer.
Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our skin from free-radical damage.
Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds:
This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel ExtractButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinRetinol 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water