What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Aroma
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Matrine
Antioxidant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Glycerin, Isododecane, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Trehalose, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Retinol, Dimethiconol, Methylparaben, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Carbomer, Jojoba Esters, Hexyldecanol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Ceramide NP, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Cholesterol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Aroma, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Lactic Acid, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Matrine, Ectoin, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Adenosine, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
BHA
Antioxidant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Cellulose Gum, Retinol, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, BHA, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
