What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, DMDM Hydantoin, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-4, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Laureth-7, Dimethiconol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Aminomethyl Propanol, Titanium Dioxide, Disodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Water
Skin ConditioningSnail Egg Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientCetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingPotassium Olivoyl/Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrolyzed Umbilical Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantDiaminopropionoyl Tripeptide-33
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-9 Citrulline
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentFructose
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Parfum
MaskingWater, Snail Egg Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isostearyl Isostearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Potassium Olivoyl/Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Umbilical Extract, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Diaminopropionoyl Tripeptide-33, Retinol, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Lysine Hcl, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tripeptide-9 Citrulline, Lecithin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Fructose, Propanediol, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, BHT, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone 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 DimethiconePolysorbate 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