What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Decyl Cocoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Bentonite
Absorbent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Daucus Carota Sativa Root
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningSaponins
CleansingSucrose
Humectant
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Oil
Masking
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rye Phytoplacenta Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pullulan
Zein
Skin ConditioningIndole Acetic Acid
Skin ConditioningPectin
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Trimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Decyl Cocoate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Bentonite, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Bakuchiol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycine Soja Oil, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Daucus Carota Sativa Root, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Saponins, Sucrose, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Oil, Beta-Carotene, Hydrolyzed Rye Phytoplacenta Extract, Tocopherol, Pullulan, Zein, Indole Acetic Acid, Pectin, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycine 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 OilRetinol 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 RetinolTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
