What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Stearyl Stearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
PEG-75 Lanolin
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
Cleansing
Sodium Sulfate
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Stearyl Stearate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Ceteareth-20, PEG-75 Lanolin, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinol, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citric Acid, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Sebacate
EmollientGlycereth-26
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Steareth-20
CleansingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Coumarin
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Diethylhexyl Sebacate, Glycereth-26, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Retinol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Steareth-20, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, BHT, Chrysin, Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.
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 AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltratePeg-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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolRetinol 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
