What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Retinoate
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Retinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-2
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCalcium Sodium Borosilicate
Silver Oxide
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Tocopheryl Retinoate, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Retinol, Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-2, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silver Oxide
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningYeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTriethylhexanoin
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Phytate
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCholesterol
EmollientChitosan
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientTannic Acid
AstringentPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingBifida Ferment Filtrate, Water, Sorbitol, Polyglycerin-3, 1,2-Hexanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Methyl Trimethicone, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycerin, Sodium Dna, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Triethylhexanoin, Xanthan Gum, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Pentylene Glycol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Cholesterol, Chitosan, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Retinol, Ceramide NP, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Tannic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Pentylene 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 GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s 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 hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (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