What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPEG-75 Stearate
PEG-100 Stearate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinal
Skin ConditioningCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Niacinamide, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Retinal, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Dehydroacetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantOrobanche Rapum Extract
Skin ProtectingAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantDiutan Gum
Cetearyl Olivate
Retinal
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Diheptyl Succinate, Gluconolactone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Saccharide Isomerate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Orobanche Rapum Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Diutan Gum, Cetearyl Olivate, Retinal, Phospholipids, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Malic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideRetinal 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 RetinalWater. 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