What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingOleic Acid
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventTocopherol
AntioxidantStearic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTriolein
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantWater, 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 ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingRetinol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Ascorbic Acid
AntioxidantAzelaic Acid
BufferingKojic Acid
AntioxidantArbutin
AntioxidantGlutathione
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Niacinamide, Retinol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Ascorbic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Glutathione, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Retinol 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 RetinolWater. 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