What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrideceth-10
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Carnitine
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Trehalose, Retinol, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trideceth-10, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Triethanolamine, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ubiquinone, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Carnitine, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethanolamine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Retinol, Carbomer, Allantoin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Retinol 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 RetinolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
