What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-75
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-75, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Carrageenan
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glucomannan
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Calcium Chloride
AstringentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Chloride
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Gellan Gum
Agar
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Sodium Phytate
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Carrageenan, Butylene Glycol, Glucomannan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Calcium Chloride, Cellulose Gum, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Boron Nitride, Panthenol, Potassium Chloride, Allantoin, Sucrose, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Gellan Gum, Agar, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arginine, Sodium Phytate, Caffeine, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, CI 77491, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Sodium Dna, Retinol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinRetinol 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
