What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Squalene
Emollient
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Sclerotium Gum, Lysolecithin, Retinol, Phospholipids, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Silica, Beta-Sitosterol, Lactic Acid, Squalene
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Yeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSilk Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Corn Gluten Amino Acids, Sodium Polyglutamate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-5, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Adenosine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Yeast Ferment Extract, Silk Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Β
Itβs 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 PropanediolRetinol 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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 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
