What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
Absorbent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract
Masking
Coumarin
Perfuming
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cyclodextrin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Polyaspartate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Retinal, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, BHT, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract, Coumarin, CI 14700, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol Salicylate
Teprenone
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl Palmitate, Behenyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Bakuchiol Salicylate, Teprenone, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phospholipids, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Arachidyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide
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 TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneRetinal 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 RetinalSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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
