What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventOctyldodecanol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhysalis Angulata Extract
Skin ProtectingMethoxyhydroxyphenyl Isopropylnitrone
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl 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
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientCellulose
Absorbent4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSteareth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glyceryl Dilaurate
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, 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 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 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 made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water