What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocoglycerides
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tridecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Physalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingVolcanic Soil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Polysilicone-11
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
BHA
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocoglycerides, Cetyl Esters, Parfum, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Tridecyl Neopentanoate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Glycerin, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Retinol, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Physalis Angulata Extract, Volcanic Soil, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amylopectin, PEG-40 Stearate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysorbate 20, Ceteareth-20, Polysilicone-11, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, T-Butyl Alcohol, BHA, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Cetyl Alcohol, BHT, Linalool, Limonene
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentTaraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Geranium Maculatum Extract
TonicPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Extract, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alcohol, Retinol, Lecithin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol 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 RetinolTocopheryl 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 Water
