What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Acetyl Hydroxyproline
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Fullerenes
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Calcium Pantothenate
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Betaine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Carbomer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Beta-Glucan, Sclerotium Gum, Ferulic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acetyl Hydroxyproline, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Astaxanthin, Fullerenes, Pentylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycine Soja Oil, Calcium Pantothenate, Ascorbic Acid, Pvp, Tocopherol, Linoleic Acid, Ubiquinone, Biotin
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
