What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydroxyapatite
AbrasiveRetinal
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydroxyapatite, Retinal, Ectoin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Tocopherol, Boron Nitride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, C9-12 Alkane, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Carbomer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningApricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmollientSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningOlivine Extract
Skin ConditioningDilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Cellulose
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantRetinal
Skin ConditioningGuanosine
Skin ConditioningUracil
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCastor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexadecene
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triheptanoin, C13-15 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Carbomer, Faex Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Soy Amino Acids, Punica Granatum Seed Extract, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Olivine Extract, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Retinal, Guanosine, Uracil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Adenosine Phosphate, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Hexadecene, Sodium Benzoate, T-Butyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C9-12 Alkane is synethically created using alkanes, or paraffins. It is added to products as a solvent. This means its main purpose is to help dissolve ingredients and create even texture.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateWe don't have a description for Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer yet.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. 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 RetinalSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water