What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Glycol
SolventTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Retinol, Phytosterols, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Aminobutyric Acid
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Aminobutyric Acid, Propanediol, Cetyl Palmitate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Water. 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
