What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
CleansingSodium 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
Water
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-7
Skin Protecting
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Acetate Solution
AstringentHexapeptide-35
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Collagen
Moisturising
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Diacetate
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-2
Bleaching
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Water, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polysorbate 80, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Tripeptide-1, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Aluminum Acetate Solution, Hexapeptide-35, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Collagen, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Aluminum Diacetate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexapeptide-2, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (formerly Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3) is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Phenoxyethanol 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 a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
