What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSteareth-2
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBisabolol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningSucrose Laurate
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Steareth-2, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-7, Sodium Benzoate, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Retinol, Carbomer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Sucrose Laurate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Benzyl Alcohol, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract 3%
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPropanediol
SolventXylitol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarrageenan
Disodium EDTA
Retinol 3%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMirabilis Jalapa Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract 3%, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xylitylglucoside, Glycine Soja Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Anhydroxylitol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Propanediol, Xylitol, Allantoin, Carrageenan, Disodium EDTA, Retinol 3%, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Palmitate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Reviews
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 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 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 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 Water