What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Carrageenan
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Octapeptide-7
Skin Protecting
Sh-Decapeptide-7
Antioxidant
Sh-Octapeptide-4
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-9
Humectant
Sh-Pentapeptide-19
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientSucrose
Humectant
Calcium Lactate
AstringentCalcium Chloride
AstringentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Chloride
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Hydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Chromium Oxide Greens
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Retinol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octapeptide-7, Sh-Decapeptide-7, Sh-Octapeptide-4, Sh-Oligopeptide-9, Sh-Pentapeptide-19, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Adenosine, Allantoin, Caffeine, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sucrose, Calcium Lactate, Calcium Chloride, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Chloride, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Chromium Oxide Greens, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
Emollient
Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Olivate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Panthenol, Retinol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Propanediol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Glycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRetinol 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 RetinolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
