What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Acetate
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaproic Acid
Cleansing
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningThiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine
Skin ConditioningMenadione
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acetate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Lysine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caproic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Retinol, Riboflavin, Biotin, Bioflavonoids, Cyanocobalamin, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Menadione
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Prunus Persica Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingSodium Phytate
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, 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.
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 GlycerinRetinol 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 RetinolWater. 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
