What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Honey
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylamide
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sucrose Laurate
Emollient
Dextran
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Flower Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Cosmos Sulphureus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Kobus Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Honey, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Ferulic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinal, Retinol, Viola Tricolor Extract, Laureth-7, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate, Dextran, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Brassica Campestris Flower Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Cosmos Sulphureus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Magnolia Kobus Flower Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is hyaluronic acid (HA) that is broken down into lower molecular weight fragments.
It's a humectant that pulls and holds water in the skin to help with hydration, plumpness, and reduce transepidermal water loss.
Because hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is smaller in size, it can slip past your outermost layer of skin more easily than full-sized HA.
Most formulations will combine all sizes to get the best of both worlds.
Typical usage levels range from 0.01-1%. Any percentage higher than 2% might become goopy and tacky.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidHydroxyacetophenone 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 HydroxyacetophenonePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 RetinalSucrose Laurate isn't fungal acne safe.
Water. 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
