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
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientCellulose
Absorbent
4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Steareth-10
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Dilaurate
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingBHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Behenate, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Cellulose, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Polyacrylamide, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Chlorphenesin, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, BHT, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Ascorbic Acid
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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate is an emollient that helps make your skin smooth and hydrated. It specializes in creating a non-oily and "wet" feeling on skin.
This ingredient comes from isostearic acid, a saturated fatty acid. It is a synthetic ingredient.
Polysorbate 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 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
