What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingTridecyl Stearate
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningCellulose Acetate Butyrate
Linoleic Acid
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tricaprylin
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSilica Silylate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Olivate, Tridecyl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Allantoin, Retinol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Phytosterols, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tricaprylin, Sodium PCA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica Silylate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingYucca Glauca Root Extract
Skin ProtectingRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningResveratrol
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Polyphenols
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeSucrose Laurate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Yucca Glauca Root Extract, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Squalane, Caffeine, Resveratrol, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, Bisabolol, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Behentrimonium Chloride, Sucrose Laurate, PEG-100 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
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 an 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.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Retinol 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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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. 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