What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Sucrose Laurate
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Retinol, Bisabolol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Laurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Behentrimonium Chloride, Sucrose Laurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Benzoic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Retinol 0.3%
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate-13
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Methylpropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
BHA
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Retinol 0.3%, Ceramide NP, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, BHT, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Fructooligosaccharides, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Beta-Glucan, Polyquaternium-51, BHA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 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. 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
