Go-To Skincare De-Crease Smoothing Eye Serum Versus FaceTheory Retinal Supreme Eye Multibalm

Eye Moisturizer

Australian

British

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water

Skin Conditioning

Propanediol

Solvent

Glycerin

Humectant

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Niacinamide

Gluconolactone

Cellulose Gum

Albatrellus Confluens Extract

Humectant

Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant

Tetrapeptide-1

Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Algin

Retinal

Glucomannan

Phospholipids

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Dehydroacetate

Calcium Gluconate

Caprylyl Glycol

Glyceryl Caprylate

Sodium Hydroxide

Water

C15-19 Alkane

Cetyl Alcohol

2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient

1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Coco-Caprylate

Emollient

Glycerin

Humectant

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Mangifera Indica Seed Butter

Skin Conditioning

Squalane

Emollient

1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter

Emollient

4 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Hexylresorcinol

Betaine

Stearic Acid

2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Mannitol

Sodium Levulinate

Triolein

Sclerotium Gum

Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose

Glyceryl Caprylate

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Propanediol

Sodium Anisate

Glyceryl Dioleate

Ceramide NP

Xanthan Gum

Hydroxyapatite

Sodium Hyaluronate

0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Phytate

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Masking

Tocopherol

Antioxidant

0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E Icon

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate

Retinal

Lecithin

Lactic Acid

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9

Skin Conditioning

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11

Skin Conditioning

Citric Acid

Buffering

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut. It has emollient and emulsifier properties.

As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.

On the other hand, emulsifiers prevent ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating.

Learn more about Glyceryl Caprylate

Propanediol

Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

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 Propanediol

Retinal

Skin Conditioning

Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.

Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.

Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.

All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.

Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.

Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.

Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.

Learn more about Retinal

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. 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