What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-32
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Retinol
Skin ConditioningPhaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 184
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantBenzophenone-5
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-32, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Retinol, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Poloxamer 184, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Benzophenone-5, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonate
Sodium Gluceptate
Bisabolol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Gluconate, Propanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Retinol, Undecane, Tridecane, Tocopherol, Sodium Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonate, Sodium Gluceptate, Bisabolol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 RetinolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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