What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
HumectantDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Kojyl Methylenedioxycinnamate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMadecassoside
AntioxidantHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDecapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSodium Oleate
CleansingPropylene Glycol Alginate
Rice Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Methyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, C14-22 Alcohols, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Palmitic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Glycine Soja Oil, Carbomer, Mannitol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Kojyl Methylenedioxycinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Madecassoside, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Retinol, Trehalose, Beta-Carotene, Tocopherol, BHT, Acacia Senegal Gum, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Decapeptide-4, Sodium Oleate, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Rice Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBakuchiol
AntimicrobialTulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningCannabis Sativa Leaf Extract
EmollientCannabis Sativa Seed/Stem Oil
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMalic Acid
BufferingCrithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPinus Cembra Wood Extract
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSaponaria Pumila Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
AntioxidantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingIsomalt
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Kinetin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingIndole Acetic Acid
Skin ConditioningTropolone
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Lauryl Laurate, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bakuchiol, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Cannabis Sativa Leaf Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed/Stem Oil, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Malic Acid, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Lecithin, Pinus Cembra Wood Extract, Phospholipids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Saponaria Pumila Callus Culture Extract, Lactic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Isomalt, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Kinetin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Citric Acid, Indole Acetic Acid, Tropolone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is a low-irritation solvent that helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from glucose.
Research shows how well this ingredient works depends on the active and formulation rather than the concentration alone. This means adding more Dimethyl Isosorbide does not guarantee better penetration of ingredients into the skin.
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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilThis ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids?
Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming:
The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone RetinoateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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