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 ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Oleate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Arachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Oleate, Propanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Arginine, Carbomer, Allantoin, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vegetable Oil, Bakuchiol, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Zinc PCA, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, BHT, BHA
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 AllantoinCarbomer 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 CarbomerDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRetinol 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
