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 ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Aroma
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactic 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 ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Isohexadecane
EmollientRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Cellulose
AbsorbentC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Retinol, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Cellulose, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
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 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin 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 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 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
