What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Poloxamer 235
EmulsifyingEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Glycine
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingWater, Coco-Caprylate, Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, BHT, BHA, Retinol, Poloxamer 235, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Ascorbate, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Palmitoyl Glycine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octenidine Hcl, Glyceryl Stearate, Allantoin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion Stabilising4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, C13-15 Alkane, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alpha-Arbutin, Retinol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Retinal, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol 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 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
