What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDendrobium Nobile Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
HumectantArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Ophiopogon Japonicus Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSaururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract
AntimicrobialTaraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPogostemon Cablin Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeStephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-20 Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Retinol, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Parfum, Lactobacillus Ferment, Saccharomyces Ferment, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Dendrobium Nobile Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Seed Extract, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Leaf Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, CI 19140, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinRetinol 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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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