What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingOleic Acid
Emollient
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Retinol, Squalane, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Bakuchiol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Glyceryl Behenate, Linoleic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Hexylene Glycol, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triolein, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Ferulate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Tribehenin
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isododecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Dimethicone
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Orobanche Rapum Extract
Skin ProtectingPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Octadecene
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Tribehenin, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Isododecane, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Dimethicone, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Bakuchiol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Orobanche Rapum Extract, Phytosterols, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Stearyl Dimethicone, Octadecene, Vp/Va Copolymer, Propanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It has antimicrobial, emollient, skin conditioning, and antioxidant properties.
You'll likely see it called a "retinol replacement" but the two are technically not related. This is because bakuchiol is able to flip many of the same switches in your skin cells to tell them to:
1) produce more collagen (type I, III, and IV)
2) activate the same genes retinoids do
Unlike retinoids, this ingredient will not increase photosensitivity and is safe to use during pregnancy (but please still check in with your doctor!).
The flagship clinical trial from Dhaliwal et al. 2019 found 0.5% bakuchiol (twice daily) and 0.5% retinol (once daily) reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation equally, but bakuchiol had significantly less irritation.
Systematic reviews also back this up:
Bakuchiol is comparable to retinol for photoaging but with better tolerability. It also has mild antibacterial properties against Cutibacterium acnes and antifungal activity in vitro against Candida and dermatophytes.
The reason bakuchiol works well is due to its structure; it is a meroterpene phenol, or a hybrid molecule. The phenol half acts as an antioxidant while the terpene half is fat-loving. This helps the molecule slip through the skin barrier.
This ingredient is usually used between 0.5-2%. Only one case of contact dermatitis has ever been reported for this ingredient.
Learn more about BakuchiolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 HydroxyacetophenoneLinoleic Acid is also known as Vitamin F. It is a fatty acid with emollient and skin conditioning properties. Our top layer of skin, or epidermis, contains high amounts of linoleic acid naturally.
Your body uses linoleic acid to build ceramides and prostaglandins. Ceramides keep your skin's barrier hydrated and strong while prosaglandins help control inflammation and healing. Needless to say, linoleic acid is crucial for having a strong skin barrier.
One study found applying linoleic acid rich sunflower oil to be more effective at repairing the skin barrier than oleic rich olive oil.
Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, meaning our bodies cannot create it on its own. We need to get linoleic acid through foods such as nuts and vegetable oils.
Acne-prone skin tends to have linoleic acid and high levels of oleic acid.
Linoleic acid can also help treat acne by softening sebum to prevent clogged pores. Another study found using 2.5% linoleic acid gel for 4 weeks showed a 25% reduction in small comedones.
This ingredient can also help lighten hyperpigmentation or sun spots by disrupting the melanin production process. It also helps your skin shed melanin pigment from your skin caused by UV exposure.
Due to its role in the production of the fatty acid prostaglandin, linoleic acid can also help reduce inflammation and support wound healing.
Linoleic acid is not always fungal-acne safe; it may trigger flare-ups in sensitive individuals.
Learn more about Linoleic AcidPropanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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
