What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientIsostearyl Glyceryl Ether
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Triethanolamine
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Coenochloris Signiensis Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Trisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Retinol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tocopherol, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Xanthan Gum, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Isostearyl Glyceryl Ether, Bisabolol, Maltodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triethanolamine, Lactic Acid, CI 19140, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Coenochloris Signiensis Extract, Lecithin, Sodium Sulfite, Trisodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
C15-19 Alkane
SolventArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
Sodium Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonate
Sodium Gluceptate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 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.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Polysorbate 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 Water
