What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Tapioca Starch
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polyacrylamide
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Plant Ash Extract
Avena Sativa Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Niacinamide, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Dimethiconol, Laureth-4, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Polyacrylamide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Titanium Dioxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Plant Ash Extract, Avena Sativa Peptide
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPropanediol
Solvent
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dimethyl Mea
BufferingPetrolatum
Emollient
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Linoleate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycine Soja Lipids
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantNephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMagnesium Sulfate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propanediol, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Isoamyl Laurate, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Citric Acid, Dimethyl Mea, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinol, Retinyl Linoleate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Lipids, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Copper Gluconate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Eugenol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPolysorbate 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
