What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phloretin
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Tromethamine, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Retinal, Silica, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Glycosyl Trehalose, Fructooligosaccharides, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Beta-Glucan, Raffinose, Sucrose Distearate, Adenosine, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceteareth-20, Polyquaternium-51, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahydropiperine, Disodium EDTA, Phloretin, Arginine
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningApricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
Emollient
Soy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningOlivine Extract
Skin ConditioningDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Cellulose
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Guanosine
Skin ConditioningUracil
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hexadecene
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triheptanoin, C13-15 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Carbomer, Faex Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Soy Amino Acids, Punica Granatum Seed Extract, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Olivine Extract, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Retinal, Guanosine, Uracil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Adenosine Phosphate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Hexadecene, Sodium Benzoate, T-Butyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolRetinal 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 RetinalTocopherol 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
