What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningDipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBis-Glyceryl Ascorbate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Isopentyldiol, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCoconut Alkanes
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantChrysin
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientPhysalis Pubescens Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningCetyl Palmitate
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantLauric Acid
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlucosamine Hcl
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTrideceth-6 Phosphate
EmulsifyingN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLaureth-23
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingPropanediol
SolventChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Coconut Alkanes, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Retinol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Chrysin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Xanthophylls, Phytosphingosine, Phytosterols, Jojoba Esters, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Lauric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glucosamine Hcl, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pisum Sativum Extract, Tocopherol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Laureth-23, Steareth-20, Propanediol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide and formally known as ceramide 3.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPalmitoyl 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water