What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract 3%
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPropanediol
SolventXylitol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Disodium EDTA
Retinol 3%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMirabilis Jalapa Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract 3%, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xylitylglucoside, Glycine Soja Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Anhydroxylitol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Propanediol, Xylitol, Allantoin, Carrageenan, Disodium EDTA, Retinol 3%, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Palmitate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBisabolol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diisostearyl Malate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Chlorphenesin, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Retinyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Retinol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopherol, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is used in skincare as a delivery system.
It works by "encapsulating" active ingredients with its unique ring shape that is water-loving on the outside and oil-loving on the inside. This improves the stability and absorption of the product into the skin.
According to a manufacturer, it also offer some moisturizing effects.
Learn more about Hydroxypropyl CyclodextrinPhenoxyethanol 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water