What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentUndecane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
EmulsifyingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPolyglyceryl-6 Oleate
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTridecane
PerfumingDiglycerin
HumectantMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantMagnesium Sulfate
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningOleic Acid
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArginine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantGlycine
BufferingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantBis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientAcetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-11
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventRetinol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate
Cellulose
AbsorbentRetinal
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Starch, Undecane, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Panthenol, Tridecane, Diglycerin, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Plankton Extract, Oleic Acid, Propylene Carbonate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Arginine, Proline, Sorbitol, Glycine, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Bis(Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycine Soja Oil, Propanediol, Retinol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate, Cellulose, Retinal, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOleyl Erucate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleyl Erucate, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Retinal, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalWater. 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