What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycine Soja Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialDimethiconol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingC13-16 Isoalkane
SolventT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Water, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Retinol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bakuchiol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Dimethiconol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Squalane, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, C13-16 Isoalkane, T-Butyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Ferulate
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 an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinRetinol 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
