What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin Conditioning
Undecane
EmollientTridecane
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Physalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingMethoxyhydroxyphenyl Isopropylnitrone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Undecane, Tridecane, Butylene Glycol, Triheptanoin, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Octyldodecanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Behenyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Physalis Angulata Extract, Methoxyhydroxyphenyl Isopropylnitrone, Citric Acid, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that 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. Just 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.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it 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 RetinolWe don't have a description for Triheptanoin yet.
