What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Retinol, Sodium Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Niacinamide 5%
Smoothing
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBorago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hippophae Rhamnoides Acid
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingMethylpropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol 0.1%
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBHA
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Saccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Cholesterol
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Guaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide 5%, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Acid, Tocopherol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Retinol 0.1%, Ceramide NP, Pentylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Squalane, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, BHT, Oleic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, BHA, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Sorbitan Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octyldodecanol, Phytosterols, Madecassoside, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Cholesterol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Caprylyl Glycol, Guaiazulene, Sucrose Distearate, Nonapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hexapeptide-9, Ceramide EOP
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateRetinol 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 HyaluronateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
