What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
Perfuming
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polyacrylate-13
Vinyldimethicone
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl Isostearate
Skin ConditioningPolyisobutene
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Dextrin
AbsorbentCholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingChitosan
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Humectant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Protecting
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23
Skin Conditioning
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Antioxidant
Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35
Antioxidant
Nonapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-29
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-32
Antiseborrhoeic
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Sh-Polypeptide-16
Skin Protecting
Sh-Polypeptide-22
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-62
Antioxidant
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1)
Skin Conditioning
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Methylpropanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Polysorbate 60, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glycereth-26, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Stearate, Behenic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyacrylate-13, Vinyldimethicone, Batyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl Isostearate, Polyisobutene, Ceramide NP, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Retinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dextrin, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Chitosan, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Resveratrol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Dipeptide-2, Dipeptide-4, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, Hexapeptide-9, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35, Nonapeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-29, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-62, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sr-(Oligopeptide-91 Clostridium Botulinum Polypeptide-1), Tetrapeptide-30, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-29
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lactose
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-8
HumectantRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Dihydroxy Methylchromone
Antioxidant
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Lactose, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-8, Retinol, Dihydroxy Methylchromone, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Sorbitol, Stearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Propyl Gallate, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
