What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Isohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
Parfum
Masking
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Behenate, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cellulose, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Parfum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Retinol, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Ascorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Phosphate
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
BHT
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHA
Antioxidant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Retinol, Ferulic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Propanediol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Synthetic Beeswax, BHT, Xanthan Gum, BHA, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is used to stabilize and thicken products. It also helps give products a silky feel.
Glycerin 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 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 HydroxideWater. 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 Water
