This barrier-repair night moisturizer is formulated around Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Tripeptide-10 Citrulline and Acetyl Octapeptide-3 to soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingMatthiola Longipetala Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingPerilla Ocymoides Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingMyristica Fragrans Kernel Oil
MaskingEugenol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Matthiola Longipetala Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Benzoate, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sodium Benzoate, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil, Eugenol, Coumarin, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientMannitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNatto Gum
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantAcrylates Copolymer
Magnesium Chloride
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPEG-8 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDextran
Sodium Lactate
BufferingTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingOctyldodecanol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Squalane, Mannitol, Butylene Glycol, Natto Gum, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hexapeptide-11, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lecithin, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Acrylates Copolymer, Magnesium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Disodium Phosphate, Carbomer, Dextran, Sodium Lactate, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Sodium Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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