What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Glycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingPhytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientOleic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTriolein
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPolysilicone-11
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Poly(C6-12 Olefin)
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyethylene
AbrasiveEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSteareth-30
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTin Oxide
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinol, Caffeine, Ceramide Ng, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Atelocollagen, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Linoleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Triolein, Cholesterol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-12 Olefin), Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyethylene, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Steareth-30, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePhenoxyethanol 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum