What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePhospholipids
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Cocoate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Extract
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventWithania Somnifera Extract 4%
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingRetinal 1%
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingLecithin
EmollientEctoin
Skin ConditioningCyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid 0.4%
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Withania Somnifera Extract 4%, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Retinal 1%, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Lecithin, Ectoin, Cyclotetrapeptide-24 Aminocyclohexane Carboxylate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglutamic Acid 0.4%, Sodium Gluconate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalWater. 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