What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialRetinol
Skin ConditioningNephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialUbiquinone
AntioxidantQuercetin
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSalicylic Acid
MaskingArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeIron Oxides
Water, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Bakuchiol, Retinol, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Ferulic Acid, Ubiquinone, Quercetin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Phospholipids, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caffeine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Glycolic Acid, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Tetrapeptide-21, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Mandelic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Maltodextrin, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningArginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningWater, Bakuchiol, Caffeine, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Retinol, Collagen, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arginine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.
It has similar effects as retinol: skin smoothing, reducing discoloration, and preventing wrinkles. It does not cause as much irritation as traditional retinoids.
Bakuchiol works by breaking down free radicals and stimulating collagen production in skin.
Combining bakuchiol with retinol will not have adverse side effects. Studies show using them will just boost the benefits. Bakuchiol is also found to help stabilize retinol.
While bakuchiol does not make the skin more sun sensitive, we recommend wearing SPF on a daily basis.
Read more about traditional retinol
Learn more about BakuchiolButylene 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 GlycolCaffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolRetinol 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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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