What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Tributyl Citrate
SolventSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberBHT
Antioxidant
Buteth-3
SolventWater, Methylpropanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Retinol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Panthenol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium PCA, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tributyl Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, BHT, Buteth-3
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Poloxamer 235
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
BHA
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Betaine, Polyglycerin-3, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Allantoin, Poloxamer 235, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Retinol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, BHA, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinBHT 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 BHTEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 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 RetinolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
