What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsosorbide Dicaprylate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCentella Asiatica Callus Conditioned Media
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantGrifola Frondosa Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingCoprinus Comatus Extract
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingMannitol
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Glycerin, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Stearyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Callus Conditioned Media, Retinal, Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Beta-Sitosterol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Grifola Frondosa Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Coprinus Comatus Extract, Ectoin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phosphatidylcholine, Mannitol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, T-Butyl Alcohol
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientBakuchiol
AntimicrobialRetinal
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bisabolol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Bakuchiol, Retinal, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideRetinal 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 RetinalTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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