What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Erythritol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTromethamine
BufferingSucrose Laurate
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ceteth-3
EmulsifyingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentMorinda Citrifolia Extract
AstringentNephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, CI 77891, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 80, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Retinal, Erythritol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Silica, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tromethamine, Sucrose Laurate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Cholesterol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Resveratrol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Disodium EDTA, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Morinda Citrifolia Extract, Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingLactobacillus/Collagen/Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Leaf Extract Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sucrose Laurate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-75 Stearate
Water, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Lactobacillus/Collagen/Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Leaf Extract Ferment Lysate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Retinal, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Tromethamine, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Sucrose Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, PEG-75 Stearate
Reviews
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 GlycolThis 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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneWe don't have a description for Inulin Lauryl Carbamate yet.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Retinal 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 RetinalSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSucrose Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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
