What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycereth-26
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberGlucose
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sh-Polypeptide-121
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientAnastatica Hierochuntica Extract
AstringentLecithin
Emollient
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin Conditioning
Silybin
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
BHA
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycereth-26, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, C14-22 Alcohols, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinyl Retinoate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Madecassoside, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Glucose, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sh-Polypeptide-121, Diisopropyl Adipate, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Lecithin, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Silybin, Retinal, Retinol, BHT, Soluble Collagen, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cyanocobalamin, Caramel, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, BHA, Decyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tromethamine, Stearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Kluyveromyces Extract
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Squalane
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Ceteareth-33
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientWater, Glycerin, Resveratrol, Triethylhexanoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Kluyveromyces Extract, Ceteareth-20, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Eos, Tocopherol, Retinal, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Benzoic Acid, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ceteareth-33, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Glucoside
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerThis 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinRetinal 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 RetinalTocopherol (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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
