What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cis-Retinoic Acid 8%
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSqualane 3%
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingLz1 Peptide 2%
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSucrose Polystearate
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantDisodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPantolactone
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
Skin ConditioningCis-Retinoic Acid 8%, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Squalane 3%, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Lz1 Peptide 2%, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Water, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Sucrose Polystearate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Cetyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sclerotium Gum, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Pantolactone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientSteareth-20
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentBuddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture
Skin ConditioningRetinol 0.5%
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientBisabolol
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasivePolyisobutene
Butylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Sericin
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthyl Nicotinate
PerfumingCaprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin ProtectingDextran
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Steareth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Retinol 0.5%, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Bisabolol, Carbomer, Silica, Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sericin, Phospholipids, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beta-Glucan, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethyl Nicotinate, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Dextran, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 60730, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient is a more stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate as quickly when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is oil soluble.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateThis ingredient is the oil from the apricot.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
This ingredient also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilTocopheryl 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. 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