What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventRetinol
Skin ConditioningPentapeptide-59
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Stoechas Flower Extract
PerfumingMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-5 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Retinol, Pentapeptide-59, Helichrysum Stoechas Flower Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-5 Ricinoleate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingFructooligosaccharides
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningPotassium Lactate
BufferingCellulose
AbsorbentSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Lactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, C14-22 Alcohols, Fructooligosaccharides, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinal, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Potassium Lactate, Cellulose, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propanediol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidThis ingredient is a lightweight 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. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water