What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 9%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 6%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-100 Stearate
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 6%, Water, Glycerin, Zea Mays Starch, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Panthenol, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Retinyl Propionate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Kojic Acid, Retinyl Propionate, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Polyacrylamide, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
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.
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 RetinolRetinyl Propionate is a retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Most retinoids have to be converted to become effective. For some, this conversion line is long and possible ineffective. The end goal? Retinoid acid, AKA tretinoin.
Retinyl Propionate is an ester of retinol, like Retinyl Palmitate. Though the conversion line is longer for this ingredient - the results seem promising.
A study from 2021 found Retinyl Propionate to be just as effective as retinol . FYI - Retinol is one of the most well-studied OTC ingredients.
Other studies show promising results as well:
Reducing sun damage helps with: reducing the appearance of wrinkles, evening out skin tone, increasing skin plumpness, and decreasing dullness.
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.
Learn more about Retinyl PropionateWater. 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
