What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHexyldecanol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingAniba Rosodora Wood Oil
AstringentEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSantalum Album Oil
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientCupressus Sempervirens Oil
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingAbies Sibirica Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Palmitate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydroxystearic Acid
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingTrideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Squalane, Glycerin, Hexyldecanol, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Aniba Rosodora Wood Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Abies Sibirica Oil, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, BHT, Ceramide NP, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Laureth-23, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientPEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch Polymethylsilsesquioxane
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Hexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientResveratrol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingWater, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dimethicone, PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hexylresorcinol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Resveratrol, Phenoxyethanol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6, Disodium EDTA, Decyl Glucoside, Aminomethyl Propanol
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 and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water